Police Arrest Osun SSG, Five Others Over Alleged N4.8m Cash, PVCs Recovery

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, and five other persons following a raid on his residence in Osogbo, during which officers reportedly recovered N4.81 million in cash, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and a voter register.

Police said the operation was intelligence-led and primarily targeted the arrest of a suspected murder suspect, Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who was reportedly traced to the residence in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Command said officers recovered N4,810,500, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two PVCs and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15 during the operation.

According to the police, those arrested include Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

The Command said all recovered exhibits had been taken into custody for 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,” the statement read.

Police said investigators would determine the source and intended use of the recovered cash and establish whether offences, including voter bribery under the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect, had been committed.

The Command assured residents that the investigation would be conducted professionally and without bias, stressing that no individual, regardless of political status or public office, is above the law.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government condemned the operation, describing the raid on the SSG’s residence as illegal and politically motivated.

Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, said the SSG was attending an election stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when police operatives stormed his residence, where ward officials were holding a meeting.

Alimi also alleged that security operatives had earlier raided the residence of the state’s Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, accusing the police of targeting government officials and members of the Accord Party.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser and President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that the alleged attacks on top government officials could heighten political tension and threaten public order in Osun State.