The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has alleged that the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, ordered the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, in retaliation for being booed during an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting.
Egbedun made the allegation in a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, offering an account of the incident that differs from the explanation earlier provided by the Osun State Police Command.
Describing the alleged action as an abuse of power, the Speaker said it “should be a source of concern and embarrassment to every patriotic Nigerian.”
According to him, he was present at the INEC stakeholders’ meeting alongside the Deputy Governor and the SSG when the incident occurred.
“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 said he became suspicious after noticing the Commissioner of Police making several phone calls.
“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,’” he said.
Egbedun said his suspicion was confirmed moments later.
“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,” he added.
According to the Speaker, Igbalaye later informed him that he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) following allegations that police recovered N4 million and two Permanent Voter Cards belonging to members of his political party during a meeting held within his residence.
“He informed me that he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) because the 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.”
However, the Osun State Police Command has maintained a different account of the operation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the operation was based on credible intelligence that suspected criminal gangs were operating from a location in Osogbo. He said officers recovered N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register and other items suspected to be connected with electoral offences.
Ojelabi added that only six adult suspects were arrested during the operation, dismissing claims by the Adeleke Campaign Organisation that dozens of persons were taken into custody.
He also stated that the Commissioner of Police had no authority over his posting, stressing that such decisions rest solely with the Inspector-General of Police.
Egbedun further alleged that the incident involving the SSG was not isolated, recounting what he described as a previous encounter with Commissioner Gotan.
“We received credible intelligence that some thugs were planning to attack my residence. My security personnel and I remained on high alert in anticipation of the attack.
“However, to my greatest surprise, my police orderly received a call from Commissioner Gotan directing that every police officer attached to me should report to his office for questioning that very day,” he said.
The Speaker said he immediately confronted the Commissioner over the directive.
“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.
“I made it abundantly clear that I would never abandon my state or my ancestral home because of anyone, particularly someone I regard as a stranger. I also reminded him that, ultimately, every act of wrongdoing attracts its own consequences,” he said.
Egbedun also alleged that he had received intelligence suggesting that some police officers were planning to implicate and arrest him.
“For the past two weeks, I have received information suggesting that some of his officers have been moving around, allegedly planning and strategising on how to implicate and arrest me.
“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,” he said.
Reaffirming his resolve, the Speaker added:
“If those behind these alleged plans decide to carry them out, I remain resolute in my belief that justice will ultimately prevail and that evil will never triumph over righteousness.”
Egbedun appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene in the matter.
“I, therefore, make a sincere appeal to the Inspector General of Police to urgently intervene and relieve the people of Osun State of what I consider the hardship and intimidation they have endured under the leadership of Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan.
“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.
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