The Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, has been released by the Osun State Police Command after spending hours in detention.
His release was announced on Thursday by Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, which is coordinating the re-election campaign of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Olajengbesi thanked the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as responding to public calls for Igbalaiye’s release.
“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 Igbalaye Teslim.
“The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it stands against oppression and upholds justice and the rule of law. Welcome back, Chief Igbalaye Teslim. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun State will not be forgotten. Our SSG is out, back and solid,” he wrote.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaiye’s release in a telephone conversation with journalists in Osogbo.
Igbalaiye and five others were arrested on Wednesday after police raided his residence in Osogbo.
According to the police, one of those arrested at the residence, Oladele Abiodun, was on its watchlist in connection with alleged criminal offences.
Ojelabi said officers recovered N4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer during the operation.
Others arrested alongside Igbalaiye were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
The police spokesperson said the operation was carried out after intelligence reports indicated that a suspected criminal gang was operating from the location.
He said the recovered items had been secured for forensic examination, adding that the cash and voter register raised concerns about possible electoral offences.
According to Ojelabi, investigators are examining possible offences, including alleged vote buying under Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect, and any other offences that may emerge from the ongoing investigation.
Igbalaiye’s release came hours after the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the arrest was ordered by the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, following an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting.
Egbedun claimed the commissioner ordered the SSG’s arrest after being booed by some participants and noticing Igbalaiye laughing during the incident. He further alleged that Igbalaiye was later informed that police officers were waiting at his residence.
The police have denied any political motive, maintaining that the raid and subsequent arrests were based on intelligence linking the suspects to alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences.
