Just In: Osun SSG Teslim Igbalaye Arrested as Police Recover ₦4.81m, Voter Register, PVCs During Raid
By Aliyu Oyewole
The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and five other persons have been arrested by the Osun State Police Command following a raid on his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abiodun Ojelabi, the operation was carried out based on intelligence reports indicating that members of a suspected criminal gang were hiding at the residence.
The police disclosed that one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, was already on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
Others arrested alongside the SSG were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
During the operation, police officers recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15. The items have been taken into police custody for forensic examination as investigations continue.
The command said the recovered cash and electoral materials have raised concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
According to the police, the investigation is focusing on possible offences including voter bribery contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect, and any other offences that may be uncovered during the investigation.
“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” the statement said.
The police added that investigators are working to identify everyone connected with the recovered exhibits, determine the source and intended use of the money, and establish whether any organised criminal enterprise exists.
The command stressed that no individual, regardless of political office or social status, is above the law and assured that anyone found culpable after investigations would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has condemned the operation, accusing the Nigeria Police Force of invading the residence of the Secretary to the State Government without obtaining a valid search warrant.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state government alleged that a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations forcefully entered the SSG’s residence and arrested everyone found on the premises.
The state government maintained that the police action violated due process and questioned the legality of the operation.
As of the time of filing this report, the police have insisted that the raid was intelligence-driven and lawfully conducted, while investigations into the matter remain ongoing.
