Zenith Bank Official Testifies Against Adebutu In High Court Over 200 Prepaid Cards

A Zenith Bank employee, Celestina Appeal, has testified against Oladipupo Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State for the 2023 elections, in the ongoing trial at the Ogun State High Court. This follows the arraignment by the federal government of Adebutu and nine others on charges of alleged money laundering. During the trial, the government accused Adebutu and his co-defendants of financially influencing voters during the March 18 governorship election…READ ALSOJust In: Zenith Bank Refutes Claims Of EFCC Arrest Of Managing Director, Betta Edu

Appearing as the ninth witness for the prosecution, Celestina Appeal, who serves as the Head of the Department of Card Services at Zenith Bank, revealed that Adebutu had requested the production of 200,000 prepaid verve cards on February 27, 2023. These cards were intended for distribution to beneficiaries of Adebutu’s empowerment scheme in honor of his late mother, Dame Caroline Adebutu. Appeal confirmed that the cards were produced after receiving approval from Verve and were subsequently delivered to Adebutu on March 7 and 13, 2023. The trial, however, encountered a dispute over the admission of documents, with Adebutu’s counsel opposing the submission of his request letter and account statement due to lack of certification. After arguments from both sides, the presiding Judge, Justice Abiodun Akinyemi, adjourned the proceedings until Wednesday, March 20, 2024, for further deliberations and continuation of the trial.