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.
