Police Arrest Osun SSG, Recover ₦4.81m, Voter Register From His Osogbo Residence

• Police arrest Osun SSG Teslim Igbalaye and five others after an intelligence-led raid on his Osogbo residence, where a wanted suspect was allegedly found.

• Operatives recover ₦4.81 million, a voter register covering Wards 1–15, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a laptop, printer, and photocopier as key exhibits.

• Command launches investigation into alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy, harbouring of a wanted suspect, and other possible offences under the Electoral Act 2022.

• Osun State Government accuses the police of conducting an unlawful operation without a search warrant, setting the stage for a fresh confrontation over the controversial raid.

July 29, () — The Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, has been arrested alongside five other persons after operatives of the Osun State Police Command raided his residence in Osogbo.

They recovered ₦4.81 million in cash, a voter register, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and other items now at the centre of an investigation into alleged electoral offences.

The police said one of those arrested during Wednesday’s operation was a wanted suspect already on its watchlist.

The raid has, however, triggered a fresh face-off between the Osun State Government and the Nigeria Police Force, with the state administration accusing the command of unlawfully invading the official’s residence without first obtaining a search warrant.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said the operation followed actionable intelligence that members of a suspected criminal gang were hiding at a location in Osogbo.

According to the police, the operation led to the arrest of Igbalaye, 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

The command disclosed that Oladele Abiodun was a wanted suspect being monitored in connection with alleged criminal offences before he was apprehended at the residence.

During the operation, officers recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards, and a voter register containing details of registered voters across Wards 1 to 15.

“The operation also led to the arrest of the following suspects: Hon Igbalaye Teslim, Akande Taiwo, Oladele Abiodun, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau, and Aderemi Musliu.

“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising a cash sum of four million eight hundred and ten thousand, five hundred naira (₦4,810,500), one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two Voter’s 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 statement read.

Police Probe Alleged Vote-Buying, Other Offences

The command said the nature of the recovered exhibits had raised serious concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.

According to the police, investigators are examining whether the recovered cash was intended to induce voters in violation of Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, while also probing allegations of criminal conspiracy and the harbouring of a wanted suspect.

The command noted that additional charges could arise depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.

“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), criminal conspiracy, harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal, and any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation,” the statement added.

Police authorities further stated that investigators were working to establish the source of the recovered funds, determine the intended use of the money and voter register, identify every individual connected with the exhibits, and unravel the full scope of any alleged criminal enterprise.

The command stressed that the allegations carry significant implications for public security, the administration of justice, and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

It also reiterated that no individual, regardless of political status, public office, or social standing, would be exempt from investigation or prosecution if found culpable.

Osun Government Alleges Illegal Police Operation

Reacting to the development, the Osun State Government accused the police of violating due process by storming the SSG’s residence without a valid search warrant.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government alleged that a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations forcefully entered the premises and arrested everyone present.

The government maintained that the operation was unlawful and described the police action as an invasion, questioning the legality of the raid.

The police have, however, maintained that the operation was intelligence-driven, lawful, and carried out in line with their constitutional mandate to investigate crime and apprehend suspects.