Alleged Vote-Buying: Court Admits Ladi Adubutu's Bank Records As Evidence Of Funding Prepaid Cards

An Abeokuta High Court on Wednesday

admitted Ladi Adebutu’s account opening forms alongsise his statements of account as evidence in the ongoing trial of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18 gubernatorial election in Ogun State

Edu-Biznews recalls that an official of Zenith Bank, Celestina Appeal had on Tuesday testified  that Adebutu ordered for 200,000 prepaid cards some days to the election 

Adebutu together with some members of his party are presently standing trial for alleged vote-buying and money laudering perpetrated during the poll 

His Counsel,Gordy Uche (SAN)had objected to the admissibility of the documents on the grounds that, the documents were not certified, that no proper foundation was laid and that the prosecution did not comply with Section 90 (1) (e) of the Evidence Act as regards entries made in a banker’s book.

But Hon. Justice Abiodun Akinyemi, presiding over the resumed trial in the Ogun State capital, agreed with the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and admitted the documents, saying  there is no legal requirement that private documents must be certified.

Consequently, the court held that the documents are private documents that require no certification. 

The trial judge further held that the prosecution witness, Celestina Appeal, in her testimony had earlier made reference to the certificate of compliance pursuant to Section 84 of the Evidence Act.

Although, the documents are entries in a banker’s book, strict adherence to Section 90 (1) (e) is no longer necessary since the documents were electronically generated and not produced in ledgers as contemplated by the said section.

The documents were, therefore,  admitted as Exhibits 21, 22 and 23 respectively, as the  matter was thereafter, adjourned till 2nd and 3rd May 2024 as well as 5th, 6th and 7th June 2024 for further hearing.