DSS reportedly arrests Gubernatorial candidate
The Department of State Services (DSS) in Ogun State has apprehended Ladi Adebutu, the 2023 governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in connection with alleged misconduct during last Saturday’s local government elections in the state.
Reports indicate that Adebutu is accused of orchestrating the deployment of 40 “illegal policemen” from the MOPOL 49 unit in Lagos to Ogun State on election day.
He is also said to have been involved in a violent attempt to disrupt the election in the Ikenne local government area, where he allegedly coordinated PDP supporters riding motorcycles, armed with guns and other weapons, to intimidate voters and attempt ballot box snatching.
One of Adebutu’s Media Aide who spoke to CrimesChannel on condition of anonymity, debunked the claims, saying his principal was not arrested.
The source said: “He was called in to visit the DSS boss on a friendly visit, but it was not an arrest. As I speak to you, Ladi Adebutu is currently with me (the source). He was not arrested by the DSS.
“As a matter of fact, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun was supposed to be at the meeting, because it was meant to be a round table meeting, but for reasons best known, he was absent from the meeting.”.
He added that “Blogs and the opposition just wanted to make a big deal out of the friendly invitation.”
However, the PDP’s publicity secretary, Kayode Adebayo, while speaking to Daily Post, said: “The leader of the Peoples Democratic Party has truly been detained by the DSS for charges yet unknown.
“Several efforts have been made to secure his bail as at 10pm on Monday, 18th November, 2024 either on personal recognition or by a surety but none has yielded any result so far; his lawyers have been informed and they will take it up by tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.
“However, our principal has called for calm and directed that all members of the party, supporters and well wishers should be rest assured that this time shall pass, it is one of the prices for our democracy.”
