 in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun.){kind=link}
The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of harassment and political persecution following the issuance of a N72 million Land Use and Amenities Charge on his property.
In a statement released on Monday by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Mr. Afolabi Orekoya, Adebutu described the enforcement 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 the cases as HCS/275/2018 – Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu vs. Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee, Ogun State Ministry of Finance, Abeokuta, slated for 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.
Adebutu, a native of 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 PDP chieftain 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 follows a similar claim by former governor Gbenga Daniel, whose house and hotels were recently marked for demolition by the Abiodun administration over alleged planning breaches.
However, when contacted, Governor Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the allegation, saying Adebutu was crying wolf where there was none.
“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.”