The Osun State Police Command has arrested a suspected gang leader and six other persons in connection with alleged vote-buying and other criminal activities ahead of the state governorship election.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said in a statement issued on Tuesday that the arrests followed credible intelligence that a criminal gang was operating around Oroki Estate Area, Osogbo.
According to the police, operatives carried out a lawful operation at a residential property linked to the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, during which one Oladele Abiodun, 38, popularly known as "Ashipa," was arrested. Ashipa is said to be on the command’s watch-list over alleged offences including murder.
During the operation, police said they recovered N4,810,500 in cash, one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two voter’s cards, and a voter register covering wards 1 to 15.
Other suspects arrested are: Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; Aderemi Musliu, 40; and Hon. Igbalaye Teslim, 47.
The police stated that the recovery of cash and voters’ details raises concerns about possible electoral offences. It listed possible charges to include bribery of voters contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, and harboring a wanted criminal.
The Command wishes to emphasize that these are serious allegations with far-reaching implications for public security and the credibility of the democratic process," DSP Ojelabi said. "No individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation, or public office, is above the law."
However, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kolapo Alimi, has condemned the arrest, describing it as "illegal" and targeting the SSG and five others described as "co-travellers."
In an earlier press release, the Commissioner berated the police authority over the operation, arguing that it was politically motivated and aimed at intimidating government officials ahead of the election.
Similarly, the APC Campaign Council, while reacting to the arrest, said the incident further vindicated its earlier warning about the alleged criminal tendencies of the Accord Party in the state. It urged the police to intensify security of lives and property of Osun residents before, during, and after the forthcoming governorship election.
The Police Command said investigations are ongoing to identify all persons connected to the exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and determine the full extent of any criminal enterprise.
It urged residents to remain calm and provide credible information to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, and credible electoral process.
Available reports indicates that all suspects including Teslim Igbalaye SSG remain in custody as investigations continue.
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