Osun State Police Command don confam arrest of Secretary to State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and five other people. Na follow operation wey police carry out for one property wey belong to government official for Osogbo.
According to police, di operation na based on intelligence report wey show say some suspected criminal gang members dey hide for Oroki Estate area of di state capital.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, release statement wey talk say one of di people wey dem arrest na Oladele Abiodun, also known as “Ashipa,” a suspect wey don dey police watchlist for serious crime including murder.
Di six people wey police take into custody na Hon. Igbalaye Teslim, 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
Ojelabi say officers recover plenty items from di premises, including ₦4,810,500 cash, one Dynabook laptop, photocopy machine, printer, two voter cards, and voter register wey cover Ward 1 to 15.
Di statement note say all recovered items don go police custody for forensic examination and further investigation.
“Di operation also lead to arrest of di 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 di operation, officers recover exhibits wey include cash sum of four million eight hundred and ten thousand, five hundred naira, one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two Voter’s Cards and voter register for Wards 1-15.
“These exhibits don secure and dey police custody for detailed forensic examination and further investigation,” di statement talk.
Di command say di discovery of cash and voter register raise concern about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
According to police, ongoing investigation dey examine allegations wey fit include vote-buying under Section 121 of Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring or concealing wanted suspect, and any other offences wey fit emerge from investigation.
“Di recovery of cash and register wey contain voters’ details raise serious concern regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
“While investigation still dey go, di facts wey available now show reasonable ground to investigate commission of offences, wey fit include: Bribery of voters (vote-buying), contrary to Section 121 of Electoral Act, 2022, arising from alleged distribution of money or other inducement to registered voters for purpose of influencing dia voting decisions.
“Criminal conspiracy, where two or more persons dey found to agree to commit unlawful act.
“Harbouring or concealing wanted criminal, where any individual dey found to knowingly shelter or assist fugitive from justice.
“Any other offences wey fit disclose upon conclusion of ongoing investigation,” di police talk.
Di command stress say di allegations under investigation carry big implication for public safety, justice system, and integrity of democratic process.
E add say investigators dey work to determine di source and intended use of recovered funds, identify all individuals wey connect to di seized items, and establish di full scope of any criminal activities wey dem fit have commit.
Di police further reiterate say no individual dey above law, regardless of political affiliation, public office or social standing, and assure say anybody wey dem find culpable go face prosecution according to law.
Di command also appeal to residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding while dem continue to provide useful information wey fit help security agencies prevent crime and safeguard credible electoral processes across di state.
Meanwhile, Accord Party don condemn di arrests, alleging intimidation and unlawful detention of dia members ahead of August 15 governorship election for Osun State.
Spokesperson for Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, wey address journalists for Abuja, call for immediate redeployment of Osun State Commissioner of Police, wey e accuse of spearheading wetin e describe as unlawful arrests and detention of Accord Party members across di state.
Olajengbesi allege say 86 persons, including candidates of di party and government officials, don arrest.
“For di last two, three days, over 86 members of Accord Party don arrest for no reason. These people dem arrest and bring by road to Abuja and dem dey detain dem here unnecessarily,” e say.
“We don meet with di leadership of police and dem no fit give any explanation to us. There is no petition against dem. These people no commit any offence. Di Commissioner of Police for Osun State completely compromise.”
Di Accord Party spokesperson say di development fit undermine confidence for electoral process, stressing di need for level playing field ahead of di poll.
“There is need for us to have free, impartial election, election where people fit freely express dia will. Just now dem inform me say SSG of Osun State don arrest for no reason because e dey sensitise im people about di election,” e add.
Di police don maintain say di operation na intelligence-driven and dem carry am out according to dia constitutional responsibility to investigate alleged criminal activities without fear or favour.
