The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and five other people over alleged vote buying in Osogbo.
The arrest was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.
According to the police, officers acted on credible intelligence about a group allegedly operating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.
The statement said the operation focused on a house linked to the SSG while officers searched for a wanted suspect, Abiodun Arowomole, also known as “Ashipa”, who is on the police watch list over alleged crimes, including murder.
During the operation, officers recovered N4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
Police said all the recovered items have been taken for forensic examination and further investigation.
The command confirmed the arrest of Teslim Igbalaye, 57, alongside Akande Taiwo, 60, Oladele Abiodun, 38, Adeyemo Lukman, 45, Olaoye Muftau, 50, and Aderemi Musliu, 40. They were found at the property during the operation and are now in police custody.
Police said the recovery of the cash and voter register has raised concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
Investigators are looking into possible violations of the Electoral Act 2022, including alleged voter bribery through the distribution of money or other inducements to influence voters.
The police are also investigating possible criminal conspiracy and whether anyone at the property helped to hide a wanted suspect.
The command said more charges could be added depending on the outcome of the investigation and forensic analysis.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan described the allegations as serious, saying they could affect public security, the justice system and the credibility of the democratic process.
He assured residents that the investigation would continue to identify everyone connected to the recovered items, trace the source and intended use of the money, and determine the full extent of any criminal activity.
Gotan also stressed that no one is above the law, regardless of their position or political affiliation, adding that anyone found guilty after the investigation will be prosecuted according to the law.
