Police Arrest Osun SSG, Five Others Over Alleged Vote Buying

The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Teslim Igbalaye, and five other persons over alleged vote merchandising ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The police said the arrests followed a raid on the SSG’s residence at Oroki Estate, Osogbo, on Wednesday, during which officers allegedly recovered cash, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), voter registers and other items suspected to be linked to electoral offences.

In a statement, the command said, “The operation also led to the arrest of the 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 the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising cash sum of four million eight hundred and ten thousand, five hundred naira (N4,810,500), one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two Voter’s Cards and a voter register for Wards 1-15.

“These exhibits have been secured and are currently in police custody for detailed forensic examination and further investigation.

“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.

“While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences, which may include:

“Bribery of voters (vote-buying), contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, arising from the alleged distribution of money or other inducements to registered voters for the purpose of influencing their voting decisions.

“Criminal conspiracy, where two or more persons are found to have agreed to commit an unlawful act.

“Harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal, where any individual is found to have knowingly sheltered or assisted a fugitive from justice.

“Any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.”

The command stated that the allegations have far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice and the credibility of the democratic process.

It added, “Accordingly, investigations are being intensified to identify all persons connected with the recovered exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and determine the full extent of any criminal enterprise.”

The police maintained that no individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation or public office, is above the law, stressing that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of investigations would be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution.

The command also urged members of the public to remain calm, remain law-abiding and continue providing credible information to assist the police in preventing crime and ensuring peaceful, free, fair and credible electoral processes.

However, Vanguard gathered that Igbalaye later reported himself at the State Police Command after learning of the raid on his residence.

Reacting, the Osun State Government condemned the operation, describing the raid as illegal.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government said ward officials were holding a meeting within the premises when the police stormed the residence, while the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The government further alleged that the police had, a day earlier, raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, ransacked the building and destroyed several properties.

It called on traditional rulers, the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser and President Bola Tinubu to intervene, alleging a pattern of targeted actions against top government officials and members of the Accord Party in Osun State.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council said the operation justified its earlier warnings over alleged plans to manipulate the governorship election.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Remi Omowaye, the council said, “For months, the APC has consistently raised concerns over the activities of violent political elements operating in the state. We have repeatedly warned that Governor Ademola Adeleke and his co-travellers, having lost the confidence of the people, have resorted to intimidation, violence and other unlawful means in a bid to influence the forthcoming governorship election, even when the people of Osun have rejected them on account of their poor performance. This latest raid has vindicated our party.

“To this end, we commend the Nigeria Police Force for the professional operation and encourage the security agencies to sustain the momentum by conducting thorough investigations wherever credible intelligence points to the stockpiling of weapons or the harboring of criminal elements. No individual should be above the law.”

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