The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, hours after he was arrested alongside five others during a police raid on his residence in Osogbo.
The release was confirmed on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as responding to public calls for justice.
“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 Igbalaiye Teslim,” Olajengbesi said in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page.
He added, “The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it stands against oppression and upholds justice and the rule of law. Welcome back, Chief Igbalaiye Teslim. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun State will not be forgotten.”
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaiye’s release in a telephone interview with journalists but did not disclose whether investigations into the case had been concluded.
Igbalaiye was arrested on Wednesday when police operatives raided his residence in Osogbo following intelligence that suspected criminals were operating from the location.
According to the police, one of those arrested during the operation, Oladele Abiodun, was on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
Police said officers recovered N4.81 million in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards and a voter register containing details of Wards 1 to 15.
Others arrested during the operation were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
Explaining the operation, Ojelabi said the raid was intelligence-driven and conducted lawfully.
“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising a cash sum of 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,” he said.
The police spokesperson added that the recovered cash and voter register raised concerns over possible electoral offences.
“While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate offences including bribery of voters contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted criminal and any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the investigation,” Ojelabi stated.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the arrest was politically motivated.
Egbedun claimed the arrest followed an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting where the Osun Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, was allegedly booed by some participants and noticed the SSG laughing.
He further alleged that police officers later laid siege to Igbalaiye’s residence and arrested him.
The police, however, insisted that the operation was based solely on credible intelligence linking the suspects to alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences, maintaining that investigations are ongoing.
