The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, following his arrest during a police raid on his residence in Osogbo. His release was confirmed on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who commended the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for responding to public calls and ensuring what he described as justice.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed the release. Igbalaiye and five others were arrested on Wednesday after police said they acted on intelligence indicating that suspected criminals were operating from the residence. During the operation, officers recovered ₦4.81 million in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1–15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer. Police said the recovered items are undergoing forensic examination as part of investigations into alleged electoral offences and other criminal activities.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the SSG’s arrest was politically motivated, claiming it was ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, after an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting where the commissioner was reportedly booed and noticed Igbalaiye laughing. However, the police denied the allegation, maintaining that the arrest and raid were intelligence-driven and not connected to political events. Investigations into the recovered exhibits and the other suspects remain ongoing.
