EFCC Docks Four For "Vote Buying" In Osun Guber Election
Four persons have been arraigned before an Osun State High Court, Oshogbo for alleged bribing of voters in the July 16, 2022 Osun State governorship election.
The accused person are standing trial before Justice Mathias Agboola.
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which is prosecuting the accused persons claimed that they were apprehended while attempting to bribe voters in order to ensure that the incumbent governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola was reelected for a second term.
A Press Release by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Anti-graft body, Wilson Uwujaren named the suspects as; Adeyemo Bahiru Abiodun, Abidogun Ismail, Jimoh Kazeem and Yekini Nurudeen Abiodun.
The statement explained that the accused persons were arrested by operatives of the EFCC at different polling Units on the election day following credible intelligence that they were trading "cash for votes".
EFCC notes that Adeyemi, Abidogun and Jimoh were arrested at Polling Unit 002, Ward 2, Ababu, Isale Osun, while Abiodun was picked up at Unit 2, Isale Agbara, Oshogbo.
The charges on Adeyemo, Abidogun and Jimoh were consolidated, while Yekini is being prosecuted on a separate charge before the same Court.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Agboola after hearing arguments on the bail applications, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2million with one surety each in like sum.
The cases were adjourned to November 21 and 28, 2022 for trial.
Incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) lost to Senator Ademola Adeleke of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 16, governorship election by a 3.5% vote margin.
