The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, hours after his arrest during a police operation at his residence in Osogbo, while investigations into alleged electoral and criminal offences continue.
Igbalaiye’s release was confirmed on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who announced the development in a post on his verified Facebook page.
Olajengbesi thanked the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as responding to public calls over the SSG’s detention.
“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,” he wrote.
He added that the Nigerian Police Force best serves the country by upholding justice and the rule of law, welcoming the SSG back and describing his ordeal as a sacrifice for the people of Osun State.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaiye’s release during a telephone interview with journalists.
The SSG was arrested alongside five others on Wednesday after police operatives raided his residence in Osogbo based on what the command described as credible intelligence.
According to the police, one of those apprehended during the operation, Oladele Abiodun, was on the command’s watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
Police also recovered N4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer from the residence.
Others arrested during the operation were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
Explaining the operation, Ojelabi said the police acted on intelligence indicating that suspected criminals were operating from the location.
He said all recovered items had been secured for forensic examination and would form part of the ongoing investigation.
The police further stated that the recovered cash and voter register had raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged vote buying contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Investigators are also examining possible offences relating to criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect and any other violations that may emerge from the investigation.
The release of the SSG came amid growing political controversy surrounding the arrest.
Earlier on Thursday, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the arrest was ordered by the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, following an incident at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Egbedun claimed the police commissioner directed Igbalaiye’s arrest after being booed by participants at the meeting and noticing the SSG laughing during the incident.
He further alleged that Igbalaiye was later informed that police officers had laid siege to his residence.
However, the Osun State Police Command dismissed political motives, maintaining that the operation was intelligence-driven and carried out in line with lawful policing procedures.
The command insisted that investigations into the recovered exhibits and the suspects’ alleged involvement in criminal and electoral offences remain ongoing despite the SSG’s release.
