Fresh Twist: Police Free Osun SSG Following Controversial Arrest

The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, following his detention after a police operation at his residence in Osogbo.

The development was announced on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in a post shared on his verified Facebook page. The council is coordinating the re-election campaign of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

Olajengbesi expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as responding to public calls for the SSG’s release.

He praised the police for upholding justice and the rule of law, describing Igbalaiye’s release as a victory for fairness and due process.

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed the SSG’s release during a telephone conversation with journalists on Thursday.

Igbalaiye was arrested on Wednesday alongside five other individuals after police operatives raided his residence in Osogbo.

According to the police, the operation followed intelligence reports alleging that a wanted suspect and members of a suspected criminal gang were at the property.

The command identified the other suspects as Oladele Abiodun, who was said to be on the police watchlist, Akande Taiwo, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu.

During the operation, officers reportedly recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopying machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.

Police said all recovered items have been taken into custody for forensic examination as investigations continue.

The command added that the discovery of cash and voter-related materials has prompted an investigation into possible electoral offences, including alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and the alleged harbouring of a wanted suspect.

According to the police, investigators are examining possible violations of the Electoral Act 2022 and other relevant laws, while further inquiries into the case remain ongoing.