Adebutu accuses Abiodun of political witch-hunt over N72m bill

The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of harassment and political witch-hunt following a N72m Land Use and Amenities Charge served on his property in Ode Remo, Remo North Local Government Area.

Adebutu, in a statement issued on his behalf by the Director of Media and Publicity, Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Mr Afolabi Orekoya, on Monday, described the enforcement attempt as “contemptuous of the judiciary.”

“For the record, the matter of Land Use and Amenity Charge on the said property has been before the High Court of Justice, Sagamu, since 2018 and currently the subject of two separate suits,” he said.

He listed them as HCS/275/2018 – Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu vs. Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee, Ogun State Ministry of Finance, Abeokuta, coming up on October 8, 2025, and HCS/409/2024 – Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu vs. Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee, Ogun State Ministry of Finance, Abeokuta, which is still pending.

The PDP chieftain, who hails from Iperu Remo, the same hometown as Governor Abiodun, argued that the Ministry of Finance acted outside the law by “unilaterally” imposing the charge.

“In this particular case, the so-called notice was merely posted on the property without due process, hence the ongoing litigation,” he added.

The statement accused the governor of “weaponising government agencies against perceived political opponents,” insisting that “Ogun State would be better served if the same energy was channelled into providing quality governance, infrastructure, and real service to the people.”

We urge the good people of Ogun State to see through this intimidation tactic and remain resolute in the face of tyranny. Democracy cannot thrive where opposition voices are silenced through harassment and illegal enforcement actions,” it said.

Adebutu’s allegation comes shortly after a similar claim by former governor Gbenga Daniel, whose house and hotels were recently marked for demolition by the Abiodun administration on alleged planning breaches.

However.  When contacted, Governor Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, said Adebutu was crying wolf where there was none, because “Land Use Charge is statutory and it is one of the ways and means the government generate revenues to serve the people.”

He said, “Every state government in the country collects the Land Use Charge. It is not peculiar to Ogun State or Adebutu. I have the one sent to Rock City FM in Abeokuta, so why should they continue to politicise everything?

“It shows that they are bereft of ideas. It is not connected to party affiliation and has no political undertones, so they should stop all these shenanigans. This notice of payment default is pasted on all properties that have failed to remit their land use charge.”

The governor’s spokesman said he had never seen anyone taking the government to court because the government is requesting the Land Use Charge,  saying, “If you have anything against this request, all you are to do is to approach the Ministry of Finance to argue your case.”