Osun Assembly Speaker Alleges Police Commissioner Targeted SSG After Public Snub

The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of personally ordering the arrest of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, claiming the action was triggered by events that unfolded during an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting.

Egbedun’s account sharply contradicts the official explanation earlier provided by the Osun State Police Command, which maintained that the arrest followed a raid based on intelligence linking suspects to alleged electoral offences.

In a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, the Speaker alleged that the police commissioner acted out of anger after being booed by members of the public at the INEC gathering, describing the alleged abuse of authority as one that “should be a source of concern and embarrassment to every patriotic Nigerian.”

Recounting what transpired, Egbedun said he attended the stakeholders’ meeting alongside the Deputy Governor and the SSG and witnessed the events that preceded the police action.

“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,” he said.

According to the Speaker, he became apprehensive after observing the commissioner make several telephone 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 fears were 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 said.

The Speaker disclosed that Igbalaye later informed him that he had been summoned to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over items allegedly recovered from 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.”

The police had earlier given a different account of the incident.

According to the command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, officers acted on intelligence indicating that suspected criminal elements were operating in Osogbo. During the operation, police said they recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer, items they suspected could be connected with electoral offences.

The command also maintained that only six adult suspects were arrested during the raid, dismissing allegations by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign organisation that dozens of party supporters had been detained.

Ojelabi further stated that Commissioner Gotan had rejected calls for his removal, noting that decisions regarding his posting rest solely with the Inspector-General of Police.

Egbedun argued that the incident involving the SSG was not isolated, claiming he had previously experienced what he described as intimidation by the police commissioner.

He said intelligence reports had alerted him to an alleged plan by thugs to attack his residence, prompting heightened security around his home.

“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 contacted the commissioner to challenge 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 further alleged that he had received intelligence indicating that some police officers were working 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.

Despite the alleged threats, the Speaker insisted he would remain in the state.

“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,” he said.

Egbedun called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene, alleging that residents of Osun State had endured intimidation under the current police leadership.

“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.