Osun vote-buying probe took a new turn after police arrested Osun State Government Secretary Teslim Igbalaye during an operation in Osogbo.
The Osun State Police Command said the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation linked to an alleged vote-buying investigation. The development was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan.
According to the statement, police acted on credible intelligence that a criminal gang was operating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo. Officers searched a residential property linked to the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG) while looking for Abiodun Arowomole, also known as “Ashipa”, who is on the police watch list over alleged involvement in serious crimes, including murder.
During the operation, officers recovered N4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15. Police said all the recovered items had been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.
The command confirmed the arrest of Teslim Igbalaye, 57, alongside Akande Taiwo, Oladele Abiodun, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu, who were found at the property and taken into lawful custody. Investigators said the recovered cash and voter register raised concerns over possible electoral offences, criminal conspiracy and the alleged harbouring of a wanted suspect. They added that further offences could emerge as forensic examinations continue.
CP Gotan reaffirmed the command’s commitment to enforcing the law without bias, stressing that “No individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation or public office, is above the law. Any person found culpable at the conclusion of investigations will be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable laws.” The Osun vote-buying probe remains active as investigators work to identify everyone connected to the recovered exhibits and establish the source and intended use of the funds. The Osun vote-buying probe is expected to continue as more evidence is examined.
Do you think this investigation will strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process?
