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, Teslim Igbalaye, out of personal anger after he was booed during an INEC stakeholders’ meeting.
Egbedun’s account contradicts the official explanation earlier given by the Osun State Police Command, which said the arrest followed intelligence-led operations linked to alleged electoral offences.
In a statement personally signed on Thursday, the Speaker described the incident as a disturbing abuse of power, saying it should concern every Nigerian.
According to him, he attended the INEC stakeholders’ meeting alongside the Deputy Governor and the SSG, where Commissioner Gotan was reportedly booed by some attendees while addressing the gathering.
Egbedun said he noticed the commissioner staring in their direction after returning to his seat, shortly before making several phone calls.
> “I turned to the SSG and said, ‘The Commissioner of Police has just ordered your arrest,’” the Speaker stated.
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He said only a few minutes later, Igbalaye received a phone call informing him that police officers were waiting at his residence, prompting him to leave the event immediately.
The Speaker said the SSG later informed him that he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department over allegations that police recovered ₦4 million and two voter cards from people holding a political meeting inside his compound.
Egbedun questioned the basis of the police action, arguing that the allegation did not justify inviting or attempting to arrest a senior government official.
The Osun Police Command had earlier maintained that its officers acted on credible intelligence and recovered ₦4.81 million, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register and other items during a raid.
The police insisted that only six adults were arrested and dismissed claims that dozens of opposition supporters were detained.
The Speaker also alleged that he had personally experienced intimidation from the commissioner.
He claimed that after receiving intelligence about a planned attack on his residence, all police officers attached to him were suddenly ordered to report to the commissioner’s office, leaving him without official protection.
Egbedun said he confronted Gotan over the directive, insisting he would not be intimidated or forced to leave Osun State.
He further alleged that he had recently received information suggesting some police officers were planning to implicate and arrest him.
Despite warnings from associates to relocate for his safety, the Speaker said he would remain in the state.
“I will not abandon Osun for anyone,” he declared, expressing confidence that justice would eventually prevail.
Egbedun called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene, urging him to ensure Osun residents receive professional, impartial and lawful policing.
