Osun SSG, five others arrested as police recover N4.81m, voters’ register
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, and five other persons following the recovery of N4,810,500, a voters’ register, two voter cards and other exhibits during an operation at a residential property linked to the SSG in Osogbo.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said in a statement on Wednesday that the operation was carried out based on credible and actionable intelligence that some suspected criminal gang members were hibernating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.
According to the statement, the operation targeted a suspect identified as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa”, who has been on the police watch list in connection with serious criminal offences, including murder.
The police said exhibits recovered during the operation include N4,810,500 in cash, one Dynabook laptop, one photocopying machine, one printer, two voter cards and a voters’ register for Wards 1 to 15.
The command identified the other suspects arrested as Akande Taiwo, Oladele Abiodun, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu, saying they were found within the premises during the operation and taken into lawful custody.
The police said the recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raised serious concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
According to the statement, investigations are ongoing into possible offences, including bribery of voters contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal, and any other offences that may be disclosed at the conclusion of the investigation.
The police added that investigations had been intensified to identify all persons connected with the recovered exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and determine the full extent of any criminal enterprise, adding that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
