The Osun State Police Command has arrested a serving member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, and recovered more than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during a security operation at his residence in Ikire.
Inaolaji, who represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, was arrested on Friday night alongside 146 suspected electoral mercenaries allegedly camped at his residence.
The recovery of the PVCs was made during the operation, which formed part of intensified security efforts by the police ahead of the election.
In a video clip, the lawmaker was seen identifying himself and allegedly stating that he facilitated the movement of the 146 suspects into Osun State from neighbouring states for the purpose of voting in the election.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were brought into Osun State from Ondo State to participate in alleged unlawful electoral activities.
The suspects reportedly told investigators that they were recruited by a yet-to-be-identified politician, who allegedly facilitated the procurement of voters’ cards for them and instructed them to vote in exchange for financial rewards.
The command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest and said investigations had commenced to identify and apprehend other suspected accomplices still at large.
Ojelabi said the investigation would also unravel the extent of the alleged network involved in the procurement of voters’ cards, recruitment of electoral mercenaries, voter inducement and other related offences.
