The Osun State Police Command and the Osun State Government have offered contrasting accounts of the police operation at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Teslim Igbalaye, with both sides defending their positions 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, was based on credible intelligence and ongoing investigations into suspected criminal activities, while the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, had earlier questioned the legality and justification for the raid and the detention of the SSG after he voluntarily reported to the Force Headquarters.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi in the statement said the Nigeria Police Force remained a professional and non-partisan institution committed to enforcing the law without fear or favour.
He said 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.”
According to the Police, “officers recovered substantial sums of cash, registers containing names and voters’ details, Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, in the possession of some persons and other documentary materials during the operation.”
The Command also disclosed that one of those arrested was already on a police watch list in connection with previous criminal investigations.
Responding to concerns over the detention of the SSG, the Police acknowledged that he voluntarily honoured its invitation but said his appearance did not place him beyond lawful investigation.
The Command stated that “his constitutional rights were respected throughout the process. He has since been granted administrative bail pending the conclusion of investigations.”
The Police also rejected claims that the recovered money should automatically be regarded as party logistics.
It stated that while some public statements described the funds as intended for political mobilisation, some suspects allegedly told investigators the money was meant for an empowerment programme, creating conflicting accounts that required further scrutiny.
On allegations of possible electoral offences before election day, the Command maintained that its constitutional responsibility includes preventing crime before it occurs.
It added that investigators were examining the totality of the evidence, including witness statements, intelligence reports, recovered materials and other circumstances, rather than relying solely on the possession of cash, PVCs or voters’ registers.
The Police Command, however, reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, professionalism and the rule of law, urging political actors to avoid statements capable of undermining public confidence or prejudicing ongoing investigations.
It said those found not to have committed any offence would be cleared, while anyone against whom sufficient evidence emerged would be charged before a court, adding that it remained committed to ensuring a peaceful, credible and secure governorship election in Osun State.
The Osun State Attorney-General, Jimi Bada, in a press conference on Thursday said the state government recognised the constitutional role of the Nigeria Police Force and did not oppose lawful investigations.
He argued that law enforcement must be carried out with fairness, neutrality and strict adherence to constitutional safeguards.
Jimi-Bada stated that the SSG was not at home during the raid and voluntarily reported to the Force Headquarters after learning of the arrests.
He questioned why a senior public official who cooperated with investigators was subsequently detained, saying, “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 were at the residence for lawful political activities, including transportation, mobilisation, feeding and communication.
He argued that “party logistics, possession of personal PVCs and printed voters’ registers released by the Independent National Electoral Commission should not, on their own, be interpreted as evidence of vote-buying or other criminal conduct.”
He contended that criminal liability is personal and that the alleged presence of a wanted suspect at the residence could not automatically implicate the SSG.
The Attorney-General called on the Police to disclose any specific evidence supporting allegations of electoral offences or other crimes, insisting that the public deserved facts rather than speculation.
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