Osun SSG Arrested as Police Recover ₦4.8m Cash in Raid

(Teslim Igbalaye. Photo Credit: Instablog)

Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), and five other suspects were taken into custody by the Osun State Police Command after an operation connected to an alleged vote-buying probe in Osogbo. 

According to a statement released on Wednesday by DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command’s spokeswoman, on behalf of CP Ibrahim Gotan, the Commissioner of Police.

The operation was initiated following the receipt of reliable information on possible criminal activity in the vicinity of Osogbo’s Oroki Estate.

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Police say a raid targeting a wanted suspect at a residence linked to the Secretary to the State Government led to the recovery of over ₦4.8 million in cash, along with items suspected to be connected to electoral offences.

According to the statement, officers raided the residence while searching for a wanted suspect, Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who is on the police watch list over alleged involvement in serious crimes, including mur der.

During the operation, police recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, a laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards, and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, all of which have been secured for forensic examination.

Also arrested were Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40, who were found on the premises alongside the 57-year-old SSG.

The police said the recovered cash and voter register had raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged voter bribery, criminal conspiracy, and the suspected harbouring of a wanted individual.

Investigators added that further charges could emerge as forensic examinations and investigations continue.

CP Gotan assured residents that the command would thoroughly investigate the source and intended use of the recovered funds and prosecute anyone found culpable, stressing that no individual is above the law.