The Osun State Police Command and the Osun State Government have offered differing accounts of the police operation carried out at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, as investigations continue ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Command said the operation, conducted on July 29, followed credible intelligence linked to ongoing investigations into suspected criminal activities.
The command maintained that the exercise was lawful and not influenced by politics.
Police spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said the Nigeria Police Force remains a professional and non-partisan institution committed to enforcing the law without bias.
According to him, the operation “was neither politically motivated nor directed against any individual because of his office or political affiliation but was undertaken in response to intelligence requiring immediate intervention.”
The police said officers recovered large sums of cash, registers containing names and voters’ details, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and other documents during the operation.
The command also disclosed that one of those arrested was already on its watch list over previous criminal investigations.
Addressing concerns over the detention of the SSG, the police said Igbalaye voluntarily honoured its invitation but that cooperating with investigators did not exempt anyone from lawful investigation.
The command added that his constitutional rights were respected throughout the process and confirmed he had since been granted administrative bail pending the conclusion of investigations.
The police further rejected claims that the recovered funds should automatically be regarded as political logistics.
According to the command, while some public statements described the money as intended for political mobilisation, some suspects reportedly informed investigators that the funds were meant for an empowerment programme, creating conflicting accounts that required further investigation.
The command also defended its decision to investigate possible electoral offences before election day, stating that its constitutional responsibility includes preventing crimes before they occur.
It said investigators would assess all available evidence, including witness statements, intelligence reports, recovered materials and surrounding circumstances, rather than relying solely on the possession of cash, PVCs or voters’ registers.
Reaffirming its commitment to neutrality, professionalism and the rule of law, the police urged political actors to avoid comments capable of undermining public confidence or prejudicing ongoing investigations.
The command added that anyone found not to have committed an offence would be cleared, while those against whom sufficient evidence exists would be charged in court.
Earlier, Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, criticised the operation, insisting that while the state government supports lawful investigations, they must be conducted fairly and in line with constitutional provisions.
He stated that the SSG was not at home during the raid and voluntarily reported to the Force Headquarters after learning about the arrests.
Jimi-Bada questioned why a public official who willingly cooperated with investigators was subsequently detained.
“If a citizen who voluntarily goes to the police to assist an inquiry can be turned into a detainee without clear and credible grounds, then every citizen is at risk.”
The Attorney General also maintained that members of the Accord Party gathered at the residence for legitimate political activities, including transportation, mobilisation, feeding and communication.
He argued that party logistics, personal PVCs and printed voters’ registers released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not, by themselves, be treated as evidence of vote buying or other criminal offences.
He further stated that criminal responsibility is personal and that the alleged presence of a wanted suspect at the residence should not automatically implicate the SSG.
Jimi-Bada called on the police to publicly disclose any specific evidence supporting allegations of electoral offences or other criminal conduct, insisting that the public deserves factual information rather than speculation.
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