Police free Osun SSG two days after arrest

By Paul Dada

The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, less than two days after his arrest during a police operation at his residence in Osogbo.

The confirmation of his release came from both the police and the Imole Campaign Council, the organisation coordinating Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.

Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the campaign council, announced the development on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, expressing appreciation to the police leadership for what he described as a fair decision.

“We sincerely appreciate the Inspector General of Police 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, Chief Igbalaye Teslim.

“The Nigerian Police Force 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.”

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed the release during a telephone interview with journalists in Osogbo.

Igbalaiye had been arrested alongside five other individuals after police officers carried out a raid on his residence on Wednesday.

According to the command, the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that suspected criminals were hiding at the property. Police said one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, was already on a watchlist over alleged criminal offences.

Officers also recovered N4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer during the operation.

Others taken into custody were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60, Adeyemo Lukman, 45, Olaoye Muftau, 50, and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

Explaining the basis of the investigation, Ojelabi said the seized items remained in police custody for forensic examination.

“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising a cash sum of four million, eight hundred and ten thousand, five hundred naira (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.”

Before Igbalaiye’s release, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the arrest was politically motivated.

Egbedun claimed the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, ordered the SSG’s arrest after an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting where the police commissioner was reportedly booed by some participants and noticed Igbalaiye laughing.

The Speaker further alleged that the SSG was informed afterwards that police officers had been deployed to his residence.

The police have rejected suggestions of political interference, insisting the operation was intelligence-driven and that investigations into alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences are continuing.