Police Release Osun SSG After Controversial Arrest Over Alleged Electoral Offences

Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye

Police Release Osun SSG After Controversial Arrest Over Alleged Electoral Offences

The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, less than 24 hours after his arrest during a raid on his residence in Osogbo. His release was confirmed on Thursday, July 30, by both the police and the Imole Campaign Council, the group coordinating Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign. The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, announced the development on his verified Facebook page, commending the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as heeding public concerns over the arrest. Olajengbesi described the release as a triumph of justice, stating, “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 Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed the SSG’s release during a telephone interview with journalists in Osogbo, but maintained that investigations into the case were still ongoing.

Igbalaye and five others were arrested on Wednesday, July 29, after police operatives raided his residence in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo. The police stated that the operation followed intelligence reports that suspected criminal elements, including a wanted suspect, were operating from the location. One of those apprehended was Oladele Abiodun (also known as Abiodun Arowomole or “Ashipa”), who was said to be on the command’s watchlist over alleged criminal offences. Others arrested were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40. During the operation, police recovered exhibits including ₦4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15. The police said the recovery of cash and voters’ details raised concerns about possible electoral offences, including vote-buying contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect. The command stated that all exhibits had been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.

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The arrest immediately sparked outrage within the Osun State Government, which accused the police of targeting senior government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, described the raid as illegal and an escalation of what it called targeted harassment of top government officials and members of the Accord Party. The government insisted that ward officials were merely holding a political meeting at the residence while the SSG attended the INEC stakeholders’ forum. The controversy deepened when the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, ordered the SSG’s arrest after being booed at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting. According to Egbedun, the commissioner was jeered by some attendees, and Igbalaye laughed during the incident, prompting Gotan to make phone calls that led to the SSG’s arrest. “The next thing I observed was Commissioner Gotan picking up his telephone and making a series of calls. From what I saw, I turned to the SSG and said, ‘The Commissioner of Police has just ordered your arrest,'” Egbedun stated. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), however, described the raid as vindication of its allegations that the ruling party was planning vote-buying.

The police have rejected allegations of political motivation, maintaining that the operation was intelligence-driven and lawful. The command reiterated its commitment to enforcing electoral laws “without fear or favour” and insisted the raid was conducted as part of an investigation into alleged criminal activities and possible violations of the Electoral Act. Although the SSG has been released, the police said investigations into the recovered exhibits and alleged offences are still ongoing.