The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has accused the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Gotan, of using his office to target the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, following an incident at a public gathering.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Egbedun said the police commissioner allegedly ordered Igbalaye’s arrest after he laughed when members of the audience booed the commissioner during an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting.
The Speaker described the alleged action as an abuse of authority and said it “should be a source of concern and embarrassment to every patriotic Nigerian.”
According to Egbedun, he attended the meeting alongside the Deputy Governor and the SSG and personally witnessed the events that unfolded.
“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.
Egbedun said the commissioner’s reaction immediately raised his suspicion after he noticed him 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.
Moments later, Igbalaye reportedly received a phone call informing him that police officers were waiting for him at his residence, prompting him to leave the venue.
“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.
Egbedun said the SSG later informed him that he had been invited by the State Criminal Investigation Department after officers allegedly recovered cash and voter cards from people meeting within his compound.
“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 Speaker’s account differs from the explanation earlier given by the Osun State Police Command, which said officers carried out the operation based on intelligence about suspected criminal activity in Osogbo. Police said they recovered over N4.8 million, two Permanent Voter’s Cards, a voter register and other materials believed to be connected with electoral offences, adding that six adults were arrested.
Egbedun also alleged that he had personally experienced intimidation from the police commissioner. He recalled receiving intelligence about a planned attack on his residence, only for police officers attached to him to be summoned away on the same day.
“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.
He said he immediately challenged the commissioner over the decision.
“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 claimed he had received reports that some police officers were plotting 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 and urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene.
“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.
“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.
