BREAKING: Police Detain Osun SSG, Five Others Over Alleged Electoral Offences

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Osun State Police Command has arrested and detained the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other persons following a raid on his residence in Osogbo over alleged electoral and other criminal offences.

The operation was carried out on Wednesday, after police said they acted on intelligence indicating that members of a criminal gang were hiding at the location.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said one of those arrested at the residence was Oladele Abiodun, who was described as a suspect on the police watchlist over alleged criminal offences.

Others arrested alongside the SSG were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

According to the police, officers recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopying machine and a printer during the operation.

The command said the recovered items had been secured and were undergoing forensic examination as investigations continued.

Police said the recovery of the cash and voter register raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged vote-buying contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The command added that investigators were also looking into allegations of criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect and any other offences that might be established during the investigation.

According to the statement, investigations have been intensified to identify all persons connected to the recovered exhibits, determine the source and intended use of the money, and establish the full extent of any alleged criminal enterprise.

The police maintained that no individual, regardless of political office, social status or party affiliation, is above the law, assuring that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has condemned the operation, accusing the police of invading the SSG’s residence without obtaining a search warrant.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state government alleged that a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations forcefully entered Igbalaye’s residence and arrested those present.

The government criticised the action, describing it as unlawful, while the police insist the operation was intelligence-driven and conducted within the law.