Police recover ₦4.8 million, voter register and other items during intelligence-led operation in Osogbo.
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other persons following an intelligence-led operation at a property linked to the government official in Osogbo.
The police said the operation was launched after receiving intelligence reports that suspected members of a criminal gang were hiding within the Oroki Estate area of the state capital.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command disclosed that one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, popularly known as “Ashipa,” had been on the police watchlist over alleged involvement in serious crimes, including murder.
Those arrested were identified as Hon. Igbalaye Teslim, 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
According to the police, items recovered from the premises include ₦4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
The command said all recovered items have been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.
Police said the discovery of the cash and voter register has raised concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
It noted that ongoing investigations are examining allegations bordering on vote-buying under Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring or concealing a wanted suspect, and any other offences that may be disclosed in the course of 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 read.
The command added that investigators are working to determine the source and intended use of the recovered funds, identify all persons connected to the seized items and establish the full extent of any criminal conduct.
The police reiterated that no individual is above the law, regardless of political affiliation, public office or social standing, assuring that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Accord Party has condemned the arrests, alleging intimidation and unlawful detention of its members ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, called for the immediate redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, whom he accused of orchestrating unlawful arrests and detention of Accord Party members.
Olajengbesi alleged that 86 party members, including candidates and government officials, had been arrested in recent days.
“In the last two, three days, over 86 members of the Accord Party have been arrested for no reason. These people were arrested and brought by road to Abuja and are being detained here unnecessarily,” he claimed.
He further alleged that the police had failed to provide any justification for the arrests and warned that the development could undermine public confidence in the forthcoming election.
“There is a need for us to have a free, impartial election, an election where people can freely express their will. Just now I have been informed the SSG of Osun State has been arrested for no reason because he was sensitising his people about the election,” he added.
The police have, however, maintained that the operation was intelligence-driven and carried out in line with their constitutional mandate to investigate alleged criminal activities without fear or favour.