The Osun State Police Command has arrested and detained the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, alongside five other suspects over alleged electoral and criminal offences following a raid on his residence in Osogbo.
The police said the operation, carried out on Wednesday based on credible intelligence, led to the arrest of one Oladele Abiodun, who was described as a wanted suspect on the command’s watchlist, alongside Igbalaye and four others.
Items recovered from the residence include ₦4.81 million in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier and a printer, the command disclosed.
The other suspects arrested were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said the raid followed intelligence reports that members of a suspected criminal gang were hiding in the area.
According to him, the exhibits recovered during the operation have been taken into police custody for forensic examination as investigators seek to determine their connection with alleged electoral crimes and other criminal activities.
“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” the statement read.
The police said the suspects were being investigated for alleged offences, including vote-buying contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect.
It added that further charges could arise depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.
“The facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences which may include bribery of voters, criminal conspiracy, harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal, and any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of investigations,” the command stated.
The police stressed that investigators were working to identify all persons connected with the recovered exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the money recovered, and unravel the full extent of any alleged criminal enterprise.
Reaffirming its commitment to impartial law enforcement, the command said no individual, regardless of political affiliation, public office or social status, is above the law, warning that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted.
It also appealed to residents to remain calm and continue to provide credible information capable of assisting security agencies in ensuring peaceful and credible electoral processes.
However, the Osun State Government faulted the police operation, accusing the command of invading the official residence of the SSG without obtaining a search warrant.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government alleged that the residence was stormed by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.
Alimi maintained that those found on the premises were arrested after the officers allegedly forced their way into the residence without following due process.
The development has heightened tensions between the Osun State Government and the police, as investigations into the allegations continue.
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