DSS Releases Ladi Adebutu After Questioning Over Alleged Election Disturbance
Ladi Adebutu, the 2023 governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) early Tuesday morning after being invited for questioning in connection with an alleged disturbance during the local government elections in the state.
Adebutu’s media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, confirmed the release in a phone conversation with Channels Television. This followed a previous statement by the Ogun State PDP Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, who confirmed that the PDP leader had been detained by the DSS on Monday, November 18, 2024, for charges that remained unclear at the time.
Read Also:
In a statement released earlier, Adebayo had assured party members that Adebutu’s detention was part of the ongoing process, calling for calm and urging the public to remain patient as the matter was resolved. The statement read: *“This is to inform the members of our great party that our leader, Ladi Adebutu, has truly been detained by the DSS for charges yet unknown. However, our principal has called for calm and reassured all party members, supporters, and well-wishers that this time shall pass; it is one of the prices for our democracy.”*
Efforts by Adebutu’s legal team to secure his release on personal recognition or with a surety had reportedly failed by 10pm on Monday. However, after spending several hours in detention, he was eventually released, with his lawyers expected to follow up on the matter on Tuesday morning.
The arrest is believed to be connected to an incident that occurred during the local government elections in Ogun State on Saturday, November 16, where Adebutu was allegedly linked to mobilizing thugs and illegal police operatives to disrupt the voting process. Adebutu, however, has denied these allegations, claiming that the violence was sparked by an attempt on his son’s life, leading to an exchange of gunfire between his security detail and the attackers.
While the DSS has not yet made a public statement about the specific charges, Adebutu’s release indicates that the investigation into the incident may continue. The PDP has called for an impartial inquiry into the events surrounding Adebutu’s detention, and the party maintains that the situation is politically motivated.
The development has raised further tensions in Ogun State ahead of the 2024 elections, with critics accusing the ruling party of using state security forces to target opposition figures.
