The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has accused the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Gotan, of ordering the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, in retaliation for being booed during a public event.
In a statement personally signed on Thursday, Egbedun disputed the official account provided by the Osun State Police Command, describing the incident as an abuse of power that should concern all Nigerians.
According to the Speaker, the incident occurred during an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting attended by the Deputy Governor, the SSG and other government officials.
Egbedun alleged that shortly after members of the public booed Commissioner Gotan while he was addressing the gathering, the police chief returned to his seat, looked towards where state officials were seated and began making several phone calls.
He claimed he immediately warned Igbalaye that he believed the commissioner had ordered his arrest.
Minutes later, the SSG reportedly received a phone call informing him that police officers were waiting at his residence. Egbedun said Igbalaye subsequently left the meeting after being informed of the development.
The Speaker said the SSG later told him he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations that police recovered N4 million and two Permanent Voter Cards belonging to members of his political party who were holding a meeting within his residence.
Egbedun questioned the justification for inviting or attempting to arrest a senior government official over the allegations.
However, the Osun State Police Command has maintained a different version of events.
Police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers acted on credible intelligence indicating that suspected criminal gangs were operating from a location in Osogbo.
According to the command, the operation led to the recovery of N4.81 million in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register and other materials suspected to be connected to electoral offences.
The police insist the operation was intelligence-driven and not politically motivated.
Reacting to calls for his removal, Commissioner Gotan reportedly stated that decisions regarding his posting are solely the responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police.
Egbedun also alleged that the SSG’s case was not an isolated incident, claiming he had previously experienced what he described as intimidation by the police commissioner.
He said he once received intelligence that suspected thugs were planning to attack his residence, but instead of reinforcing his security, officers attached to him were allegedly directed by the commissioner to report for questioning.
The Speaker said he confronted Gotan over the directive, insisting he would not be intimidated or abandon his residence in Osun State.
He further claimed to have received intelligence over the past two weeks suggesting that some police officers were allegedly plotting to implicate and arrest him.
Despite the alleged threats, Egbedun said he remains resolute and vowed not to leave the state.
He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene and ensure that policing in Osun State remains professional, impartial and in line with the rule of law.
