Osun Police release SSG Teslim Igbalaye, continue probe into alleged vote-buying case

The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, from its custody following his arrest over alleged vote-buying-related offences.

The command, however, said investigations into the matter are continuing and that the release of the senior government official does not mark the end of the ongoing probe.

Confirming the development on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Igbalaye was released earlier in the day after spending hours in police custody.

“I can only tell you that the SSG, Mr Teslim Igbalaye, has been released this afternoon, and the investigation is still ongoing,” Ojelabi said.

Igbalaye was arrested alongside five other suspects during a police operation at his residence, where officers reportedly recovered Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), cash and a voters’ register, items the police said were relevant to their investigation into alleged electoral offences.

READ ALSO: Osun SSG, five others arrested after police raid uncovers cash, voter register

The police also identified the other suspects arrested during the operation as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” whom the command described as a wanted murder suspect on its watch list, as well as Taiwo Akande, Lukman Adeyemo, Muftau Olaoye and Musiliu Aderemi.

While the police have yet to disclose whether any of the suspects will be formally charged, the command maintained that investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the recovered items and the roles of those arrested.

The arrest of the Osun SSG generated widespread public attention because of his position in the state government, with political observers closely monitoring the outcome of the investigation.

The police have not announced any formal charges against Igbalaye, and no further details have been released regarding the status of the other suspects as investigations continue.