Teslim Igbalaiye, the Secretary to the State Government, and five other people were detained by the state police command on Wednesday, heightening tensions ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
The Ademola Adeleke campaign and the Osun State Government, however, accused the security agency of targeting opposition figures in a political crackdown.
The police said the suspects were arrested during a raid on Igbalaiye’s residence in Osogbo, where they claimed to have recovered a sum of N4,810,500, two voter cards, a voter register and other items suspected to be linked to electoral offences, an allegation the Osun State Government and the governor’s campaign team rejected.
The police stated that among those arrested at the SSG’s residence was a suspect on their watchlist in connection with criminal offences, Oladele Abiodun.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, in a statement obtained in Osogbo, said two PVCs, a voter register, Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, and one printer were recovered from Igbalaiye’s residence.
Others arrested alongside Igbalaiye were Akande Taiwo ‘m’ 60years, Adeyemo Lukman ‘m’ 45years, Olaoye Muftau ‘m’ 50years, and Aderemi Musliu ‘m’ 40years.
The PPRO said a police team acting on intelligence that some criminal gangs were hibernating at a location in Osogbo carried out a lawful raid and apprehended the suspects.
“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising a cash sum of four million eight hundred ten thousand, five hundred naira (N4,810,500), one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two Permanent Voter’s 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 is 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. Any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation,” the statement read.
The command emphasised that the allegations against the suspects had far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice, and the credibility of the democratic process.
“Accordingly, investigations are being intensified to identify all persons connected with the recovered exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and determine the full extent of any criminal enterprise,” the statement read.
The Osun command declared that no individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation, or public office, is above the law, adding that any person found culpable at the conclusion of investigations would be prosecuted in accordance with the constitution.
It urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and to continue providing credible information that will assist the police in preventing crime and ensuring peaceful, free, fair, and credible electoral processes.
The PUNCH reports that Osun State Government on Wednesday accused the state command of the Nigerian Police Force of invading the residence of Igbalaiye without a search warrant.
The allegations were contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, a copy of which was obtained by The PUNCH in Osogbo.
He also claimed that the police operatives met on the premises were arrested.
Alimi further alleged that the SSG’s residence was busted by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
