The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, has regained his freedom after spending hours in police custody following his arrest by the Osun State Police Command.
His release was confirmed on Thursday, July 30, by Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, the political group coordinating Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign.
Announcing the development on his verified Facebook page, Olajengbesi thanked the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as a decision guided by fairness.
“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.
“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,” Olajengbesi wrote.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed the release during a telephone conversation with journalists in Osogbo.
Igbalaiye was arrested on Wednesday alongside five other individuals after police officers raided his residence in Osogbo.
According to the command, one of those apprehended at the residence, Oladele Abiodun, was already on the police watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
Police also said they recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer from the premises.
The other suspects arrested were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
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Explaining the operation, Ojelabi said officers acted on intelligence reports indicating that suspected criminals were operating from the location.
“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising a cash sum of four million, eight hundred and ten thousand, five hundred naira (N4,810,500), one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two voter cards and a voter register for Wards 1-15.
“These exhibits have been secured and are currently in police custody for detailed forensic examination and further investigation.
“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.
“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; and any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.”
Before Igbalaiye’s release, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, had accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of orchestrating the arrest.
Egbedun alleged that the commissioner ordered the SSG’s arrest after an incident during an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting, where he was reportedly booed by some participants and noticed Igbalaiye laughing.
The Speaker further claimed the SSG was later informed that police officers were already waiting at his residence.
The police, however, rejected the allegation, insisting that the raid and subsequent arrests were based on intelligence linking the suspects to alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences.