The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, following his arrest and detention alongside five other persons after a raid on his residence in Osogbo.
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The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed Igbalaye’s release in a telephone conversation with journalists on Thursday. The police had detained him following Wednesday’s operation, during which cash, voter-related documents and office equipment were allegedly recovered from his residence.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, which is coordinating Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign, also announced the release through 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 their willingness to listen to reason despite pressure surrounding the arrest.
“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 said.
He maintained that the Nigeria Police Force best serves the country when it resists 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 added.
Igbalaye and five others were arrested after police officers raided his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.
The other persons identified by the police were Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
The police said Abiodun, also known as “Ashipa,” was on its watchlist over alleged involvement in criminal offences.
According to the command, the operation was conducted after it received intelligence that members of a suspected criminal gang were hiding at a location in Osogbo.
Ojelabi said the police recovered ₦4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopying machine and a printer during the raid.
He said the recovered items had been secured in police custody for forensic examination and further investigation.
The command maintained that the discovery of cash, voter cards and a register containing voters’ information raised concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
Police said the allegations being investigated could include voter bribery or vote-buying contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy and the possible harbouring or concealment of a wanted suspect.
The command stressed that the investigation remained ongoing and that the final offences, if any, would depend on the evidence obtained during the inquiry.
The arrest generated controversy after the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that it was connected to an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting.
Egbedun claimed that the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, became displeased after he was booed by some attendees and allegedly noticed Igbalaye laughing during the incident.
The Speaker further alleged that the commissioner subsequently ordered the SSG’s arrest and that Igbalaye was later informed that police officers were waiting at his residence.
The police, however, rejected the suggestion that the operation was motivated by the incident at the stakeholders’ meeting.
The command maintained that the raid was lawful and based on credible intelligence linking persons at the residence to alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences.
Although Igbalaye has now regained his freedom, the police have not announced the conclusion of their investigation into the recovered cash, voter register, Permanent Voter Cards and other items.
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