Police arrests secretary to state government

The Osun State Police Command has arrested and detained the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, along with five other persons after officers carried out a raid on his residence in Osogbo.

The police said the operation followed intelligence reports that suspected members of a criminal group were hiding at the location.

The arrests were made on Wednesday, July 29, during the operation at the SSG’s residence.

According to the police, one of the suspects taken into custody, Oladele Abiodun, had already been on the command’s watchlist over alleged criminal offences.

Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said officers recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash during the raid.

Other items found at the residence included two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier and a printer.

The police said all the recovered items have been taken into custody for forensic examination and further investigation.

Those arrested alongside Igbalaye were identified as Akande Taiwo, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau, Aderemi Musliu and Oladele Abiodun.

The command said preliminary findings have raised questions about possible electoral offences and other alleged criminal activities.

Investigators are looking into whether the recovered cash and voter register may be connected to vote-buying or other unlawful acts under the Electoral Act 2022.

The police are also examining possible allegations of criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect and any additional offences that may emerge during the investigation.

According to the command, investigators are working to identify everyone linked to the recovered items, determine the source of the cash and establish its intended purpose.

The police said the investigation would also seek to uncover whether a wider criminal network was involved.

The command maintained that no individual would be treated differently because of political position, public office or social status. It added that anyone found responsible for any offence after the investigation would face prosecution in line with the law.

Residents were urged to remain peaceful, obey the law and continue providing useful information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has faulted the police operation.

The government alleged that officers entered the residence of the Secretary to the State Government without obtaining a search warrant before carrying out the raid.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state government also claimed that everyone found within the premises was arrested during the operation.

It further alleged that the raid was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations alongside other officers.