Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, hours after he was arrested in connection with alleged vote-buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that Igbalaye was arrested alongside five other suspects during a police operation in Osogbo. The police had earlier said officers recovered about ₦4.81 million, a laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15 from a residence linked to the SSG. The items have been taken into custody as investigations continue.
Confirming his release on Thursday, the police said the SSG and the other suspects were granted administrative bail after making statements. The command added that the investigation is ongoing and that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The arrest sparked strong political reactions in Osun. Governor Ademola Adeleke condemned the action, alleging that it was an attempt to intimidate members of his administration ahead of the governorship election. He maintained that his government would not be cowed by external pressure.
Also reacting, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, claimed there were plans to arrest him as well, accusing the police of targeting officials of the state government for political reasons.
The police, however, insisted that the arrest was based on intelligence and formed part of efforts to curb electoral offences, stressing that investigations into the alleged vote-buying and the recovered materials are still ongoing.
