JUST IN: OSUN SSG RELEASED FROM POLICE CUSTODY
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, has regained his freedom after being released by the Osun State Police Command.
His release was announced on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, through a post on his verified Facebook page.
Olajengbesi thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as responding to public calls for justice.
“We sincerely appreciate the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, for listening to the voice of reason despite pressure and responding to the people’s demand regarding the unlawful arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Teslim Igbalaiye.
“The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it upholds justice, the rule of law and stands against oppression. Welcome back, Chief Teslim Igbalaiye. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun State will not be forgotten,” he wrote.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaiye’s release during a telephone interview with journalists in Osogbo.
Igbalaiye and five others were arrested on Wednesday after police raided his residence in Osogbo.
According to the police, one of those arrested at the residence, Oladele Abiodun, was on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
The command said officers recovered ₦4.81 million in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer from the residence.
The other suspects arrested were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
Police said the operation followed intelligence reports that a criminal group was operating from the location.
Ojelabi stated that the recovered cash and voter register had raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect, adding that investigations were ongoing.
The SSG’s release came hours after the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, ordered the arrest following an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting.
Egbedun claimed the commissioner became upset after being booed by some participants and allegedly ordered Igbalaiye’s arrest after noticing him laughing during the incident.
The police, however, maintained that the operation was intelligence-driven and linked to ongoing investigations into alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences.
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