Suspects nabbed with N4.8m, voter registers
The Osun State Police Command has officially confirmed the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, alongside five others, over the alleged unlawful possession of electoral materials and suspected vote buying.
The clarification was provided by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, in response to earlier allegations by the state government claiming that the police had unlawfully invaded the SSG’s residence during a political meeting and abducted his family.
While the state government claimed that ward officials were holding a political meeting at the SSG’s residence when the police invaded the property, the police said the operation was a targeted and lawful action based on credible intelligence regarding a criminal gang hibernating in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.
The police stated that operatives tracked a wanted suspect, Abiodun Arowomole (popularly known as “Ashipa”), who has been on the command’s watch list for serious crimes, including murder, to a residential property linked to the SSG.
The suspects arrested alongside the SSG were identified as Hon. Teslim Igbalaye (47), Akande Taiwo (60), Oladele Abiodun (38), Adeyemo Lukman (45), Olaoye Muftau (50), and Aderemi Musliu (40).
During the operation, authorities reportedly recovered substantial exhibits, including N4,810,500 in cash, one Dynabook laptop, a photocopying machine, a printer, two voter cards, and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
The police spokesperson noted that the recovery of the cash and voter registers points to serious alleged electoral offences and criminality.
He said the command is investigating the suspects for alleged bribery of voters (vote buying), contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, relating to the distribution of financial inducements to influence voting; criminal conspiracy, involving an unlawful agreement to commit an offence; and harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal by knowingly sheltering a fugitive from justice.
Reassuring the public of the command’s neutrality, Ojelabi said, “The Osun State Police Command wishes to emphasise that these are serious allegations with far-reaching implications for public security.
“No individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation, or public office, is above the law. Any person found culpable at the conclusion of investigations will be prosecuted.”
The police urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding while assuring them of the command’s commitment to ensuring a free, fair and credible electoral process in the state.
(The Sun)