By Imoleayo Oyedeyi

Teslim Igbalaye, Osun SSG

The Osun state police command says its operatives have arrested Teslim Igbalaye, secretary to the state government (SSG), and five others over alleged vote-buying.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abiodun Ojelabi, police in Osun, said N4.8 million and other electoral materials were recovered from a residence linked to the SSG in Osogbo, the state capital.

“Acting on credible and actionable intelligence that some criminal gang were hibernating around Oroki Estate Area, Osogbo, operatives of the Command carried out a lawful operation within the environs while one suspect identified as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who has been on the watch-list in connection with serious criminal offences including murder and others at a residential property linked to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Osun State,” the statement reads.

“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising cash sum of four million eight hundred ten thousand, five hundred naira (N4,810,500), one Dynabook Laptop, one Photocopy Machine, one Printer, two Voter’s Card and voter register for Ward 1-15.

“These exhibits have been secured and are currently in police custody for detailed forensic examination and further investigation.

“The operation also led to the arrest of the following suspects: Hon Igbalaye Teslim ‘m’ 47years, One Akande Taiwo ‘m’ 60years, Oladele Abiodun ‘m’ 38years, Adeyemo Lukman ‘m’ 45years, Olaoye Muftau ‘m’ 50years, Aderemi Musliu ‘m’ 40years.

“The suspect was found within the premises during the operation and has since been taken into lawful custody.”

The police spokesperson said 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,” Ojelabi said.

“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. Any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.”

He described the offences as “serious allegations with far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice, and the credibility of the democratic process”.

Ojelabi noted that “investigations are being intensified to identify all persons connected with the recovered exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and determine the full extent of any criminal enterprise”.

He assured that the force remains steadfast in its constitutional responsibility to enforce the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

“No individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation, or public office, is above the law,” he added.

“Any person found culpable at the conclusion of investigations will be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable laws.”

He urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and to continue providing credible information that will assist in preventing crime and ensuring peaceful, free, fair, and credible electoral processes.

BACKGROUND
The development comes amid heightened tension ahead of the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15.

In recent weeks, political tension in the state has escalated as supporters of Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, who is seeking a second term on the platform of Accord, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded accusations and verbal attacks.

In a statement issued earlier, Kolapo Alimi, Osun commissioner for information and public enlightenment, accused operatives of the state police command led by the deputy commissioner of police (operations), of invading the residences of the SSG and six commissioners.

Alimi had condemned what he described as “gestapo operations” on the homes of the SSG and other officials.

“The Osun state government has raised alarm over systematic invasion, attacks and bursting of homes of top Osun state government officials by the Osun state police command without proper search warrant, with the latest being the invasion of the house of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),” the statement reads.

The commissioner claimed that at the time the SSG’s house was allegedly invaded, his ward officials were holding a meeting on the premises.

He said the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He alleged that “the police had yesterday raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy at Ikire, ransacking the building and destroying several properties”.

“Five other commissioners have reported their houses being shadowed and others busted even when nothing illegal happened in their abodes,” Alimi said.

The commissioner alleged that “reports at the disposal of the government indicated that several Accord members are languishing in CID cells at the State Command without being granted bail”.

He described the alleged police raid on the SSG and the commissioners as “an aggravated assault on the government and people of Osun state” as well as a “grave danger” to the country’s democracy.

The commissioner claimed that “by openly launching attacks on Osun government officials, the state police command has again confirmed its partiality, its partisanship and its becoming a direct tool in the hands of Osun APC”.

He called on President Bola Tinubu, Tunji Disu, inspector-general of police (IGP), and traditional rulers across the state to intervene in what he described as an “escalation of targeted violence against top government officials and Accord members” in the state.

“This must be stopped before it escalates into a general breakdown of law and order,” he added.

Source: TheCable