A bank official, Celestina Appeal, on Tuesday revealed how Adebutu bought 200,000 prepaid cards and funded the account just 48 hours prior to the election
The High Court of Ogun State, sitting in Abeokuta and presided over by Hon. Justice Abiodun Akinyemi, has admitted Ladi Adebutu’s account opening forms along with his statements of account.
Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and some members of his party are on trial for alleged vote-buying and money laundering during the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State.
A bank official Celestina Appeal on Tuesday gave insight into how Adebutu ordered 200,000 prepaid cards and funded the account about 48 hours before the election.
His counsel, Gordy Uche (SAN), objected to the admissibility of the documents on the grounds they were not certified, that no proper foundation was laid and the prosecution did not comply with Section 90 (1) (e) of the Evidence Act as regards entries made in a banker’s book.
However, in overruling the defendants’ counsel, the judge agreed with the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), that there is no legal requirement that private documents must be certified.
The court held the documents are private documents that require no certification.
The trial judge further held that the prosecution witness made reference to the certificate of compliance pursuant to Section 84 of the Evidence Act.
The documents were admitted as exhibits 21, 22 and 23 and the matter was adjourned until 2nd and 3rd May 2024 as well as 5th, 6th and 7th June 2024.
