The Osun State Police Command says it has arrested the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other suspects over alleged vote-buying ahead of the state’s governorship election.
The police also said officers recovered ₦4.81 million, a laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, voter cards and a voter register during an operation at a residence linked to the SSG in Osogbo.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the operation followed intelligence reports about suspected criminal activities around the Oroki Estate area of the state capital.
“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.
“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.”
According to the police, the cash recovered alongside the voter register has raised concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
“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,” Ojelabi said.
“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 and said investigators were working to identify everyone connected with the recovered items, determine the source of the money and establish its intended use.
He added that the command would enforce the law without bias.
“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.”
Ojelabi also urged residents to remain peaceful and continue providing useful information that could help security agencies maintain law and order and ensure credible elections.
The arrests come amid heightened political tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
However, the Osun State Government has condemned the police action. The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, accused the police of unlawfully invading the residences of the SSG and several commissioners.
He described the operations as “gestapo operations” and alleged that officers carried out the raids without obtaining proper search warrants.
“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.
Alimi said ward officials were holding a meeting at the SSG’s residence when the operation took place. He added that Igbalaye was attending an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ forum at the time.
The commissioner also alleged that the police had searched the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire and that five other commissioners had reported surveillance and raids on their homes.
He further claimed that several members of the Accord Party were being held in police custody without bail.
Describing the incidents as “an aggravated assault on the government and people of Osun state” and a “grave danger” to Nigeria’s democracy, Alimi accused the police command of acting in a partisan manner.
He alleged that “by openly launching attacks on Osun government officials, the state police command has again confirmed its partiality, its partisanship and its becoming a direct tool in the hands of Osun APC”.
Alimi called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and traditional rulers in the state to intervene.
“This must be stopped before it escalates into a general breakdown of law and order,” he added.
