Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has alleged that the arrest of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, was ordered by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, after the police chief was booed at a public event.
Egbedun made the allegation in a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, disputing the official account earlier provided by the Osun State Police Command regarding the circumstances surrounding the SSG’s arrest.
According to the Speaker, the incident occurred during an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting attended by himself, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi and the SSG.
He claimed that the Commissioner of Police was booed by members of the public while addressing participants at the event.
“We all witnessed the unfortunate moment when Commissioner Gotan was booed while on the podium by citizens of Osun State. Immediately he returned to his seat, he looked directly towards us. At that moment, the SSG laughed,” Egbedun said.
The Speaker alleged that shortly afterwards, the police commissioner made a series of phone calls, prompting him to suspect that Igbalaye was about to be arrested.
“The next thing I observed was Commissioner Gotan picking up his telephone and making a series of calls. From what I saw, I turned to the SSG and said, ‘The Commissioner of Police has just ordered your arrest.’”
According to him, his prediction came true minutes later when the SSG received a telephone call informing him that police officers were waiting at his residence.
“A few minutes later, the SSG received a telephone call informing him that police officers were waiting for him at his residence. He immediately stood up and left the event, leaving the Deputy Governor and me behind.”
Egbedun said Igbalaye later informed him that he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after police allegedly recovered N4 million and two voter cards belonging to members of his political party who were holding a meeting within his compound.
“I honestly do not understand how such an allegation justified inviting, or attempting to arrest, a public official of his standing,” he added.
The Speaker’s account differs from that of the Osun State Police Command.
The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, had earlier said officers acted on credible intelligence about suspected criminal activities in Osogbo, leading to the recovery of N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register and other items believed to be linked to possible electoral offences.
Police also maintained that six adult suspects were arrested during the operation and dismissed claims that dozens of people had been detained.
Egbedun further accused the police commissioner of abusing his office, describing the alleged actions as disturbing and embarrassing.
He also recounted a separate incident in which he claimed Commissioner Gotan ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to him despite intelligence of an impending attack on his residence.
“I immediately telephoned the Commissioner and told him that I am a proud son of Onikoyi, and that I neither fear nor bow to intimidation.”
The Speaker further alleged that he had received intelligence suggesting some police officers were plotting to implicate and arrest him, but insisted he would not leave Osun State out of fear.
“Many people have advised me to leave Osun State or vacate my residence for my own safety. However, I have consistently maintained that I will not abandon Osun for anyone.”
Appealing to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene, Egbedun urged the police leadership to ensure professionalism and impartiality in policing the state.
“The people of Osun are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who deserve policing that is professional, impartial and respectful of the rule of law,” he said.
