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Police Arrest Osun SSG, Five Others As Accord Party Alleges Intimidation
According to the police, the arrests are linked to the alleged harbouring of a wanted criminal and suspected electoral and other criminal activities.
Osun State SSG Teslim Igbalaye. Facebook/Hon. Teslim Igbalaye
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other individuals following an operation carried out at a property associated with the government official in Osogbo.
According to the police, the operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated that suspected members of a criminal gang were hiding within the Oroki Estate area of the state capital.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said one of those apprehended during the raid was Oladele Abiodun, also known as “Ashipa,” a suspect who had been on the police watchlist over alleged involvement in serious crimes, including murder.
The police identified the six persons taken into custody as Hon. Igbalaye Teslim, 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
Ojelabi said officers recovered several items from the premises, including ₦4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two voter cards and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
READ ALSO: [Osun Election] Accord Party Alleges Police Intimidation, Unlawful Arrests
The statement noted that all recovered items have been taken into police custody for 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.
“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising 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’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 said.
The command stated that the discovery of the cash and voter register had raised concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
According to the police, ongoing investigations are examining allegations that may include vote-buying under Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring or concealing a wanted suspect, and any additional offences that may emerge from the 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.
“Any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation,” the police stated.
The command stressed that the allegations under investigation carry significant implications for public safety, the justice system and the integrity of the democratic process.
It added that investigators are working to determine the source and intended use of the recovered funds, identify all individuals connected to the seized items and establish the full scope of any criminal activities that may have been committed.
The police further reiterated that no individual is above the law, regardless of political affiliation, public office or social standing, and assured that anyone found culpable would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
The command also appealed to residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding while continuing to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and safeguarding credible electoral processes across the state.
Accord Party Alleges Intimidation
Meanwhile, the Accord Party has condemned the arrests, alleging intimidation and unlawful detention of its members ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, called for the immediate redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, whom he accused of spearheading what he described as unlawful arrests and detention of Accord Party members across the state.
Olajengbesi alleged that 86 persons, including candidates of the party and government officials, had been arrested.
“In the last two, three days, over 86 members of the Accord Party have been arrested for no reason. These people were arrested and brought by road to Abuja and are being detained here unnecessarily,” he said.
“We have met with the leadership of the police and they cannot provide any explanation to us. There is no petition against them. These people have committed no offence. The Commissioner of Police in Osun State is completely compromised.”
The Accord Party spokesperson said the development could undermine confidence in the electoral process, stressing the need for a level playing field ahead of the poll.
“There is a need for us to have a free, impartial election, an election where people can freely express their will. Just now I have been informed the SSG of Osun State has been arrested for no reason because he was sensitising his people about the election,” he added.
The police have, however, maintained that the operation was intelligence-driven and carried out in accordance with their constitutional responsibility to investigate alleged criminal activities without fear or favour.
