Police arrest Osun SSG, five others over alleged vote-buying

Police in Osun State have arrested the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and five other people after a raid linked to alleged vote-buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The state police command said the operation took place in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo on Wednesday. It said officers recovered ₦4,810,500, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopying machine, a printer, two voter cards and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.

Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said the raid followed intelligence reports and that the items recovered had been taken for forensic examination and further investigation.

The police named those arrested as Igbalaye, 47; Taiwo Akande, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Lukman Adeyemo, 45; Muftau Olaoye, 50; and Musiliu Aderemi, 40. The command said Abiodun, also known as Ashipa, had been on its watchlist over alleged serious crimes, including murder.

The investigation covers alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect. The police said preliminary findings pointed to possible offences under the Electoral Act and other laws, but no conviction has been recorded.

The arrest has added to tension in Osun’s election build-up. The state government and the opposition All Progressives Congress reacted differently to the raid, while Accord Party figures accused the police of intimidation. The police said the action was part of efforts to curb electoral offences before the poll.

Sources: Premium Times, Channels TV