Police Arrest Osun SSG, 5 Others Over Alleged Electoral Offences

The Osun State Police Command has arrested and detained the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and five other persons following a raid on his residence in Osogbo.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, was on the command’s watchlist in connection with alleged criminal offences.

According to the police, the operation was carried out after intelligence reports indicated that members of a suspected criminal gang were hiding at the location.

Those arrested were identified as: Teslim Igbalaye, 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

The police said officers recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier and a printer.

Ojelabi said all the items have been secured and are undergoing forensic examination. He added that the recovery of cash and a voter register raised concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.

The police listed the offences under investigation to include alleged vote-buying contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect, and any other offences that may emerge.

“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 command added that investigations are being intensified to establish the source and intended use of the recovered funds and to determine the full extent of any criminal enterprise.

It stressed that the allegations have implications for public security, the administration of justice and the integrity of the democratic process.

The police reiterated that no individual, regardless of political affiliation, social status or public office, is above the law. Anyone found culpable, it said, would be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has accused the police of invading the SSG’s residence without a search warrant.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government alleged that police officers arrested individuals found at the residence during the operation.

Alimi further claimed the residence was raided by a combined team of police officers allegedly led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.