The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye(pictured), has been arrested alongside five others after police raided his residence in Osogbo and allegedly recovered ₦4.81 million in cash, voter documents and electronic equipment.
The Osun State Police Command said one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, was already on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
The operation was confirmed on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, who said officers acted on intelligence that suspected members of a criminal gang were hiding at the property.
According to the police, the raid led to the recovery of ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1–15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier and a printer.
The other suspects arrested apart from Teslim Igbalaye were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
Police said the seized items have been taken into custody for forensic examination, adding that the cash and voter register have raised suspicions of possible electoral offences.
The command said the suspects are being investigated for alleged vote-buying under the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect and other offences that may be uncovered during the investigation.
“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” the police said.
The command added that detectives are working to identify everyone linked to the recovered items, establish the source and intended use of the cash, and uncover the full extent of the alleged criminal network.
Police insisted that no one is above the law and vowed to prosecute anyone found culpable after investigations.
But the Osun State Government fired back, accusing the police of storming the SSG’s residence without a search warrant.
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, alleged that a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations invaded the residence and arrested those found on the premises.
