The Osun State Police Command has confirmed arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five others caught with electoral materials and cash.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers recovered ₦4.8 million and certain electoral materials from a property linked to the SSG in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
According to the statement, the operation followed credible intelligence suggesting that suspected criminals were hiding around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.
“Acting on credible and actionable intelligence that some criminal gang were hibernating around Oroki Estate Area, Osogbo, operatives of the Command carried out a lawful operation within the environs while one suspect identified as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who has been on the watch-list in connection with serious criminal offences including murder and others at a residential property linked to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Osun State,” the statement read.
The police said officers recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier, a printer, two voter cards and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising cash sum of four million eight hundred ten thousand, five hundred naira (N4,810,500), one Dynabook Laptop, one Photocopy Machine, one Printer, two Voter’s Card and voter register for Ward 1-15.
“These exhibits have been secured and are currently in police custody for detailed forensic examination and further investigation.
“The operation also led to the arrest of the following suspects: Hon Igbalaye Teslim ‘m’ 47years, One Akande Taiwo ‘m’ 60years, Oladele Abiodun ‘m’ 38years, Adeyemo Lukman ‘m’ 45years, Olaoye Muftau ‘m’ 50years, Aderemi Musliu ‘m’ 40years.
“The suspect was found within the premises during the operation and has since been taken into lawful custody.”
Ojelabi said the recovery of the cash and voter register had raised serious concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
He added that ongoing investigations were examining allegations including vote-buying under Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect and any other offences that may emerge during the investigation.
“While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences which may include: Bribery of Voters (Vote Buying) contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, arising from the alleged distribution of money or other inducements to registered voters for the purpose of influencing their voting decisions.
“Criminal conspiracy, where two or more persons are found to have agreed to commit an unlawful act.
“Harbouring or concealing a Wanted Criminal, where any individual is found to have knowingly sheltered or assisted a fugitive from justice. Any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.”
The police spokesperson described the allegations as “serious allegations with far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice, and the credibility of the democratic process”.
He said investigations were being intensified to identify everyone connected to the recovered items, determine the source and intended use of the funds, and establish the full extent of any criminal activity.
Ojelabi assured residents that the police would carry out their constitutional duties impartially, stressing that no individual was above the law.
“No individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation, or public office, is above the law,” he said.
“Any person found culpable at the conclusion of investigations will be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable laws.”
He urged members of the public to remain calm, obey the law and continue providing credible information to support crime prevention and ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.
Osun Government alleges unlawful arrest, invasion of senior officials homes
The development comes amid growing political tension ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for 15 August.
Supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of Accord, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have recently exchanged accusations and verbal attacks.
Earlier, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, accused police operatives led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) of invading the homes of the SSG and six commissioners.
Alimi condemned what he described as “gestapo operations” carried out at the residences of senior government officials.
“The Osun state government has raised alarm over systematic invasion, attacks and bursting of homes of top Osun state government officials by the Osun state police command without proper search warrant, with the latest being the invasion of the house of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),” the statement read.
He claimed ward officials were holding a meeting at the SSG’s residence when the police allegedly carried out the operation, while the SSG himself was attending an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ forum.
Alimi also alleged that police officers had raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, damaging property, while several other commissioners reported surveillance or similar operations at their homes.
He further claimed that several Accord members were being held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) without being granted bail.
Describing the alleged operations as an attack on the Osun State Government and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy, the commissioner accused the state police command of acting in a partisan manner in favour of the APC.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and traditional rulers across the state to intervene.
“This must be stopped before it escalates into a general breakdown of law and order,” he added.