The secretary to the Osun state government, Teslim Igbalaiye, has been released by the Osun state police command following his arrest over vote buying.
Igbalaiye’s release was announced on Thursday, July 30, by Pelumi Olajengbesi, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, the group leading the re-election campaign of governor Ademola Adeleke.
“We sincerely appreciate the Inspector General of Police (IGP) 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 (SSG), chief Igbalaye Teslim.
“The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) best serves the nation when it stands against oppression and upholds justice and the rule of law. Welcome back, chief Igbalaye Teslim. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun state will not be forgotten. Our SSG is out, back and solid,” Olajengbesi wrote.
Igbalaiye and five others were arrested and detained by the state police command after a raid on his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.
The police stated that among those arrested at the SSG’s residence was a suspect on the police watchlist in connection with criminal offences, Oladele Abiodun.
Ojelabi also said a sum of N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine and one printer were recovered from Igbalaiye’s residence.
Others arrested with Igbalaiye include Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
Olajengbesi said a police team, acting on intelligence that a criminal gang was hibernating at a location in Osogbo, carried out a lawful raid and apprehended the suspects.
He said, “During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising a cash sum of N4,810,500, one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two voter 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 recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
“While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences, which may include:
“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; and any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.”
The release came hours after the speaker of the Osun state house of assembly, Adewale Egbedun, claimed that the arrest of the SSG was ordered by the state commissioner of police, Ibrahim Gotan, following an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting.
Egbedun claimed the commissioner directed the arrest after he was booed by some attendees and noticed Igbalaiye laughing during the incident.
He also claimed that the SSG was later informed that police officers were waiting at his residence.
The police, however, maintained that the raid and arrests were based on intelligence linking the suspects to alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences.
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