The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, alongside five others, has been arrested and detained by the state Police Command following a raid on his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.
According to the police, one of the primary individuals apprehended at the SSG’s residence was Oladele Abiodun, a suspect listed on the command’s watchlist for alleged criminal offenses.
The development was confirmed through an official statement issued in Osogbo by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi.
During the operation, security operatives recovered several items from the premises, including ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register for Wards 1–15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier, and a printer.
Aside from Igbalaye and Oladele Abiodun, the police identified the other detained suspects as Akande Taiwo (60), Adeyemo Lukman (45), Olaoye Muftau (50), and Aderemi Musliu (40).
The police PPRO stated that the discovery of substantial cash and voter registers raises serious concerns regarding electoral malpractice.
According to the statement:“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), criminal conspiracy, [and] harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal.”
The command emphasized that no individual, regardless of social status or public office, is above the law, assuring that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution.
In swift opposition, the Osun State Government accused the state police command of invading the SSG’s residence without a proper search warrant.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government claimed that a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations burst into the premises and arrested those met on the ground.
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