Adebutu Accuses Abiodun Of Harassment Over Disputed Property Charges In Court

The Ladi Adebutu Development Organization (LADO) has accused the Ogun state government of attempting to silence the opposition through what it described as harassment and abuse of power.

In a statement on Monday, the group alleged that officials of the ministry of finance, under the watch of Governor Dapo Abiodun, posted a notice of default on one of Adebutu’s properties in Ode Remo, Remo North LGA, despite ongoing litigation over the matter.

The organization said the issue of land use and amenity charges on the property has been before the courts since 2018, with two separate suits still pending in the high court in Sagamu. One of the cases, HCS/275/2018, is expected to come up on October 8, while HCS/409/2024 has yet to be fixed for hearing.

“It is laughable and contemptuous of the judiciary for the government and its agents to attempt to enforce charges that are already being contested in competent courts of law,” the statement said.

The group argued that the ministry of finance has no legal basis to impose such charges without proper assessment, noting that the notice was “merely posted” on the property without due process.

LADO described the action as a deliberate attempt to intimidate Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, a key opposition figure in the state, while distracting from the administration’s “failure to deliver good governance.”

“We condemn this reckless abuse of power and call on Governor Abiodun’s government to stop weaponizing government agencies against perceived political opponents,” Afolabi Orekoya, director of media and publicity for LADO, said in the statement.

The group urged residents of the state to resist what it called “intimidation tactics” and remain steadfast in defending democracy.