The police in Osun State on Thursday released the Secretary to the Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, after controversially arresting him alongside five others on Wednesday over unsubstantiated vote-buying allegation.
The arrest, which came just about 17 days ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state, has intensified concerns about the partisanship of security agencies during elections, especially where the party in control of the federal government competes with strong oppostions.
Mr Igbalaye’s release was confirmed on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who described the arrest as unlawful and commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he called a decision to “listen to the voice of reason.”
“We sincerely appreciate the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, for listening to the voice of reason despite pressure and for responding to the people’s demand regarding the unlawful arrest of the Secretary to the State Government,” Mr Olajengbesi wrote in a Facebook post.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media Monitoring to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Abdul-Jeleel Samakin, also confirm the release to PREMIUM TIMES via a WhatsApp message.
