Ladi Adebutu, the former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). His release occurred early Tuesday morning, following an invitation for questioning related to disturbances during the local government elections held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
Afolabi Orekoya, Adebutu’s media aide, confirmed the release during a phone conversation with Channels Television. The DSS had detained Adebutu at their Abeokuta office on Monday, November 18, 2024, as confirmed by Kayode Adebayo, the Publicity Secretary of the Ogun State chapter of the PDP.
In a statement issued on Monday, Adebayo informed party members and the public of Adebutu’s detention, noting that the charges were unspecified at the time. He urged calm among supporters, stating, “Our principal has called for calm and directed that all members of the party, supporters, and well-wishers should be rest assured that this time shall pass; it is one of the prices for our democracy.”
Efforts to secure Adebutu’s release on personal recognition or through a surety were initially unsuccessful. His legal team was notified and planned to address the matter on Tuesday morning. The specifics of the DSS’s inquiry into the alleged election disturbances have not been disclosed.
Adebutu, who contested the Ogun State governorship in 2023, has been a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape. His recent detention and subsequent release have sparked discussions about the role of security agencies in political matters and the importance of due process in democratic governance.
