The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of ordering the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, in what he described as an act of retaliation after the police chief was booed at a public event.
In a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, Egbedun said the incident occurred during an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting attended by himself, the Deputy Governor and the SSG.
According to the Speaker, the Commissioner of Police was booed by members of the public while addressing participants at the meeting. He claimed Gotan looked directly at the government delegation after returning to his seat, at which point the SSG reportedly laughed.
Egbedun alleged that he became suspicious after seeing the police commissioner make several phone calls and immediately warned Igbalaye that his arrest had been ordered.
He said his prediction was confirmed minutes later when the SSG received a call informing him that police officers were waiting at his residence. Igbalaye subsequently left the event and later informed the Speaker that he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
According to Egbedun, the police told the SSG that officers had recovered N4 million and two Permanent Voter Cards belonging to members of his political party during a meeting held within his compound.
The Speaker questioned the basis for inviting or attempting to arrest a senior government official over the alleged discoveries, describing the action as an abuse of power that should concern every Nigerian.
However, the Osun State Police Command has maintained a different version of events.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers acted on intelligence reports indicating that suspected criminal gangs were hiding in Osogbo. He stated that the operation led to the recovery of N4.81 million, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register and other items believed to be linked to electoral offences.
The police spokesperson also said Commissioner Gotan had dismissed calls for his removal, insisting that decisions regarding his deployment remain the responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police.
Egbedun further alleged that the SSG’s case was not isolated, claiming he had also been subjected to intimidation by the police commissioner.
He recalled receiving intelligence that suspected thugs were planning to attack his residence, but instead of reinforcing his security, he said Gotan directed all police officers attached to him to report to the commissioner’s office for questioning.
The Speaker said he challenged the commissioner over the directive and made it clear that he would not be intimidated or abandon Osun State.
Egbedun also claimed he had received reports over the past two weeks that some police officers were allegedly plotting to implicate and arrest him, despite advice from associates to leave the state for his safety.
He insisted he would remain in Osun and expressed confidence that justice would prevail if any attempt was made against him.
The Speaker appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene, urging him to address what he described as intimidation and hardship allegedly experienced by residents under the leadership of Commissioner Gotan.
He said the people of Osun deserve professional, impartial and law-abiding policing that respects democratic principles and the rule of law.