THE Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other persons have been arrested and detained by the Osun State Police Command following a raid on his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.
News Point Nigeria reports that the police said one of those arrested at the SSG’s residence was Oladele Abiodun, a suspect on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences, while investigators also recovered N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer during the operation.
The arrests and recoveries were disclosed in a statement issued in Osogbo by the Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi.
According to the police, those arrested alongside Igbalaye are Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
Ojelabi explained that the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that members of a criminal gang were hiding at a location in Osogbo, prompting a lawful raid by a police team.
“The operation also led to the arrest of the following suspects: Hon Igbalaye Teslim ‘m’ 47 years, One Akande Taiwo ‘m’ 60 years, Oladele Abiodun ‘m’ 38 years, Adeyemo Lukman ‘m’ 45 years, Olaoye Muftau ‘m’ 50 years, Aderemi Musliu ‘m’ 40 years.
“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising cash sum of four million eight hundred and ten thousand, five hundred naira (N4,810,500), one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two Voter’s Cards and a voter register for Wards 1-15.
“These exhibits have been secured and are currently in police custody for detailed forensic examination and further investigation.”
The police said the recovery of the cash and the voter register containing voters’ details had raised serious concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
According to the command, preliminary findings provide reasonable grounds to investigate alleged offences, including bribery of voters (vote-buying) contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal, as well as any other offences that may emerge upon the conclusion of investigations.
“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 statement said.
The command stressed that the allegations have far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice and the credibility of the democratic process.
It added that investigations had been intensified to identify everyone connected with the recovered exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and determine the full extent of any criminal enterprise.
The police further maintained that no individual, regardless of social status, political affiliation or public office, is above the law, assuring that anyone found culpable at the end of the investigation would be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution.
The command also appealed to residents to remain calm, law-abiding and continue providing credible information that would assist security agencies in preventing crime and ensuring peaceful, free, fair and credible electoral processes.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has accused the Nigeria Police Force of unlawfully invading the residence of the Secretary to the State Government without obtaining a search warrant.
The allegation was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, a copy of which was obtained by The PUNCH in Osogbo.
Alimi alleged that everyone found at the premises during the operation was arrested.
He further claimed that the residence was stormed by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.