Police say investigations remain ongoing despite the release of Teslim Igbalaiye and other suspects.
The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, has been released by the Osun State Police Command following his arrest during a raid on his residence in Osogbo.
His release was announced on Thursday by Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, the group leading Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign.
In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page, Olajengbesi commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as their responsiveness to public concerns over the arrest.
“We sincerely appreciate the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, for listening to the voice of reason despite pressure and for responding to the people’s demand regarding the unlawful arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Igbalaye Teslim. The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it stands against oppression and upholds justice and the rule of law,” he stated.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaiye’s release in a telephone conversation with journalists in Osogbo.
Igbalaiye and five others were arrested on Wednesday after police operatives conducted an intelligence-led raid on his residence. According to the police, one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, was on the police watchlist in connection with alleged criminal offences.
The police disclosed that items recovered from the residence included ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer.
Others arrested alongside the SSG were Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
Ojelabi said the operation was carried out based on intelligence reports indicating that suspected members of a criminal gang were hiding at the location.
He explained that the recovered items have been secured and are undergoing forensic examination as investigations continue.
According to the police, the discovery of cash and electoral materials raises concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged vote-buying under Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy and harbouring or concealing a wanted suspect.
The command stressed that additional offences may emerge upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The release of the SSG came hours after the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that his arrest was politically motivated. He claimed the Osun State Commissioner of Police ordered the arrest following an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting where the commissioner was reportedly booed by some attendees.
Egbedun further alleged that Igbalaiye was informed that police officers were waiting at his residence after he was seen laughing during the incident.
The police have, however, maintained that the raid and subsequent arrests were intelligence-driven and carried out in line with their constitutional responsibility to investigate alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences without fear or favour.