By Kayode Agbala

The Osun State Police Command has arrested several suspects, including the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, following an operation linked to an alleged vote-buying investigation in Osogbo.

This revelation was contained in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, on Wednesday.

The statement said the arrest was carried out during an operation in which officers also recovered millions of naira, electoral materials and other exhibits.

According to the statement, “the operation was carried out after the command received credible and actionable intelligence that a criminal gang was operating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.”

The police said “the operation targeted a residential property linked to the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), where officers were searching for a suspect identified as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as ‘Ashipa’, who is on the police watch list over alleged involvement in serious criminal offences, including murder.

“During the operation, police officers recovered a cash sum of N4,810,500, one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two Permanent Voter Cards and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.

“The command stated that all recovered items had been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.”

The command confirmed “the arrest of Teslim Igbalaye, 47, alongside Akande Taiwo, 60, Oladele Abiodun, 38, Adeyemo Lukman, 45, Olaoye Muftau, 50, and Aderemi Musliu, 40. The suspects were found within the premises during the operation and had been taken into lawful custody.”

Police said the recovery of the cash and voter register had raised concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities, prompting investigators to broaden the scope of their enquiries.

“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” the statement said.

The command disclosed that investigators were examining possible offences under the Electoral Act 2022, including the alleged bribery of voters through the distribution of money or inducements intended to influence voting decisions.

It added that investigators were also considering allegations of criminal conspiracy and the possible harbouring or concealment of a wanted suspect.

The police stated that additional offences could emerge as investigations progress, depending on the outcome of forensic examinations and evidence gathered during the inquiry.

“The Osun State Police Command wishes to emphasise that these are serious allegations with far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice, and the credibility of the democratic process,” the statement added.

The command assured residents that investigations were being intensified to identify everyone connected with the recovered exhibits, determine the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and establish the full extent of any alleged criminal enterprise.

“I wish to assure the good people of Osun State that the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its constitutional responsibility to enforce the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will. No individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation or public office, is above the law. Any person found culpable at the conclusion of investigations will be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable laws,” CP Gotan said.

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a National Housing Finance Authority as part of sweeping reforms aimed at expanding affordable housing finance for Nigerians.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Muttaqha Darma, announced the proposal on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ validation workshop in Abuja.

He said the authority would emerge under a proposed National Mortgage Industry Policy designed to improve access to mortgage financing.

According to him, the reforms will also reposition the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and broaden participation in the National Housing Fund.

Darma said traders, artisans and other informal sector workers would be allowed to join the NHF with monthly contributions starting from N5,000.

He said the initiative would promote financial inclusion and enable more Nigerians to access affordable home ownership opportunities.

The minister noted that real estate services contribute about 13.4 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP, valued at approximately N41 trillion.

He added that combined real estate and construction activities exceeded N77 trillion in 2025, underscoring the sector’s economic importance.

“After the rebasing of our accounts, real estate services alone account for about 13.4 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP, roughly N41 trillion.

“It is our third-largest sector, ahead of telecommunications and crude oil. With construction added, the two crossed N77 trillion in 2025.

“Dubai is smaller than Kano. The difference is not money. The difference is trust, and trust is manufactured by regulation,” he said.

Darma said stronger regulation and improved housing finance would boost investor confidence and stimulate private sector participation.

He said government was also proposing a National Housing Industry Regulatory Commission to strengthen oversight of developers and mortgage operators.

The reforms form part of broader efforts to reduce the housing deficit, improve housing affordability and deepen sustainable urban development across Nigeria. (NAN).

Nkem Okereh 
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reversed the Federal High Court judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and four other political parties.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Tuesday by a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed, the appellate court declared the June 15 judgment of Justice Peter Lifu “a nullity” for being delivered without jurisdiction.
The court held that the trial court wrongly assumed jurisdiction and acted on a suit filed by a non-juristic entity — the National Forum of Former Legislators.
“There was no valid suit that could have warranted the consequential order directing INEC to deregister the affected political parties,” Justice Mohammed said.
The panel further held that the lower court failed to properly evaluate evidence showing that the parties had won various elective seats in previous elections.
The Appeal Court also faulted Justice Lifu for proceeding with judgment despite an order of May 22 directing him to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal.
It described the action as “a form of judicial impertinence,” adding that the Supreme Court had held that a judge who acts in such a manner “is unfit for the bench, as the conduct amounts to judicial rascality.”
Consequently, the court held that the Federal High Court ought to have dismissed the substantive suit for want of jurisdiction and merit.
The affected parties are the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.
The appellate court allowed the separate appeals filed by the parties and INEC, restored their registration, and awarded costs against the National Forum of Former Legislators.
It declared that all the affected political parties “remain duly registered.”
The court had, on June 16, stayed execution of the trial court’s judgment pending the determination of the appeals.JJustice Lifu had ordered INEC to deregister the five parties after holding that they failed to satisfy constitutional requirements for continued existence.
He also restrained INEC from recognising them or accepting candidates sponsored by them ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
The plaintiff argued that the parties failed to secure at least 25% of votes in a state during a presidential election, or win at least one elective seat as required by Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was joined as a defendant, supported the plaintiffs’ case.