DETENTION OF OSUN SSG SPARKS RIFT BETWEEN POLICE, ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Read Time:3 Minute, 17 Second
By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Osun State Police Command and the Osun State Government have given conflicting accounts of the police operation at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, as both parties defended their actions amid ongoing investigations ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Friday, the police said the July 29 operation was carried out based on credible intelligence and ongoing investigations into suspected criminal activities.
However, the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, had earlier questioned the legality of the raid and the subsequent detention of the SSG after he voluntarily honoured an invitation by the Force Headquarters.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Nigeria Police Force remained professional and non-partisan, insisting the operation was not politically motivated.
According to him, the raid was conducted in response to intelligence that required immediate intervention and was not targeted at any individual because of political affiliation or public office.
The command said officers recovered large sums of cash, registers containing names and voters’ details, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and other documents during the operation.
Police also disclosed that one of those arrested had been on its watch list in connection with previous criminal investigations.
Addressing concerns over Igbalaye’s detention, the command acknowledged that the SSG voluntarily reported to the police but maintained that his cooperation did not exempt him from lawful investigation.
The police added that his constitutional rights were respected throughout the process and that he had since been granted administrative bail pending the conclusion of investigations.
The command also dismissed claims that the recovered cash was solely meant for political logistics, noting that while some public statements described it as campaign mobilisation funds, some suspects allegedly told investigators it was intended for an empowerment programme, creating inconsistencies that required further investigation.
On allegations of electoral offences before the election, the police said their constitutional responsibility includes preventing crime before it occurs.
According to the command, investigators are assessing all available evidence, including witness statements, intelligence reports, recovered materials and other relevant circumstances, rather than relying solely on the possession of cash, PVCs or voters’ registers.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to professionalism, neutrality and the rule of law, urging political actors to avoid comments capable of undermining public confidence or prejudicing the ongoing investigation.
It added that anyone found not to have committed any offence would be cleared, while those against whom sufficient evidence exists would be prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Attorney-General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, said during a press conference on Thursday that the state government had no objection to lawful police investigations but insisted they must be conducted fairly and in line with constitutional provisions.
He explained that the SSG was not at home when the police carried out the operation and voluntarily reported to the Force Headquarters after learning about the arrests.
Jimi-Bada questioned why a senior government official who willingly cooperated with investigators was later detained.
“If a citizen who voluntarily goes to the police to assist an inquiry can be turned into a detainee without clear and credible grounds, then every citizen is at risk,” he said.
The attorney-general also maintained that members of the Accord Party who were at the residence were engaged in legitimate political activities, including transportation, mobilisation, feeding and communication.
He argued that possession of party logistics, personal PVCs and voters’ registers obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not, on their own, be regarded as evidence of vote-buying or any other criminal offence.
Jimi-Bada further stressed that criminal responsibility is personal, arguing that the alleged presence of a wanted suspect at the residence could not automatically implicate the SSG.
He called on the police to publicly disclose any concrete evidence supporting allegations of electoral offences or other crimes, insisting that the public deserved facts rather than speculation.
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