The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, alongside five other individuals after a raid on a property linked to him in Osogbo.
The command said the operation led to the recovery of N4.8 million, a voter register, voter cards, and other items suspected to be connected to electoral offences.
Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that the raid followed intelligence reports about suspected criminal activities around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.
According to Ojelabi, police operatives carried out a lawful operation after receiving information that criminal elements were operating within the area.
He said a suspect identified as “Ashipa”, who had been on the police watch list over alleged involvement in serious crimes, including murder, was arrested at a residential building connected to the SSG.
Items recovered during the operation included N4.8 million cash, a Dynabook laptop, photocopy machine, printer, two voter cards, and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
The police spokesperson said the recovered materials had been secured for forensic analysis and further investigation.
He added that Igbalaye and five others found at the location were taken into custody as investigations continued.
Ojelabi said the discovery of the cash and voters’ register raised concerns over possible electoral violations and other criminal activities.
The suspects are being investigated for alleged vote buying under Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect, and any other offences that may emerge from the investigation.
The police said efforts were ongoing to identify all individuals linked to the recovered items, determine the source and intended purpose of the money, and uncover the extent of any suspected criminal operation.
Ojelabi assured that anyone found culpable would face prosecution in line with the law.
(NAN)