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The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, has regained his freedom after being released by the Osun State Police Command, even as investigations into alleged electoral offences linked to his arrest continue.
Igbalaiye’s release was announced on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who praised the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as listening to the voice of reason.
“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 for responding to the people’s demand regarding the unlawful arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Igbalaye Teslim,” Olajengbesi wrote on his verified Facebook page.
He added that the police serve the nation best when they uphold justice and the rule of law, welcoming the SSG back and describing his detention as a sacrifice for the people of Osun State.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaiye’s release.
The SSG and five others were arrested on Wednesday after police raided his residence in Osogbo based on intelligence that a wanted suspect was hiding there.
Police said one of those arrested was Oladele Abiodun, who was on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
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According to the command, officers recovered ₦4.81 million in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer during the operation.
The police said the recovered items had been secured for forensic examination, adding that the findings raised concerns about possible electoral offences, including alleged vote buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect.
Despite Igbalaiye’s release, the command said investigations remain ongoing to determine whether any criminal offences were committed.
The development came hours after Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and ordered by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, after the police chief was booed at an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting.
Egbedun claimed the commissioner took exception to seeing Igbalaiye laugh during the incident and subsequently ordered his arrest.
The police, however, rejected the allegation, insisting the raid was intelligence-driven and conducted as part of an investigation into alleged criminal activities and possible violations of the Electoral Act.
