The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, along with five other suspects during a raid on his residence in Osogbo, recovering ₦4.81 million, a voter register and other items that investigators say could be linked to alleged electoral offences.
The police said the operation was carried out on Wednesday following intelligence reports that members of a criminal gang were hiding at the residence.
In a statement issued in Osogbo, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers arrested six suspects, including Igbalaye, 47, and Oladele Abiodun, 38, whom the command described as a wanted suspect already on its watchlist.
Others arrested during the operation were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
According to the police, exhibits recovered during the raid included ₦4,810,500 in cash, one Dynabook laptop, a photocopying machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
The command said all recovered items had been secured and would undergo forensic examination as part of an ongoing investigation.
Ojelabi stated that the discovery of the cash and voter register raised “serious concerns” over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
He said investigators were examining allegations that could include vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect.
According to the police, the alleged vote-buying offence is contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which prohibits the distribution of money or other inducements to influence voters.
The statement added that investigators would also determine whether any criminal conspiracy existed among the suspects and whether anyone knowingly sheltered a fugitive from justice.
“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” the statement said.
The police further disclosed that investigations were being expanded to identify all persons connected with the recovered exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the cash, and determine whether a broader criminal network was involved.
The command stressed that no individual, regardless of public office, political affiliation or social status, would be shielded from prosecution if found culpable.
It also urged residents to remain calm and continue providing useful information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and ensuring peaceful, free and credible electoral processes.
However, the Osun State Government strongly criticised the police operation, accusing the command of violating due process.
In a separate statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, alleged that officers stormed the residence of the SSG without obtaining a search warrant.
Alimi claimed that the operation was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and that everyone found within the premises was arrested.
The state government did not respond to the police allegations regarding the recovered cash, voter register or the presence of a wanted suspect at the residence.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not announced any formal charges against the suspects, stating that investigations were ongoing.
