Olusegun ARIYO
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has given his own account of what led to the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, on Wednesday.
Osun State Police Command had arrested several suspects, including Igbalaye, following an operation linked to an alleged vote-buying investigation in Osogbo.
The police said the arrests were carried out during an operation in which officers also recovered millions of Naira, electoral materials and other exhibits.
According to the police, “The operation was carried out after the command received credible and actionable intelligence that a criminal gang was operating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.”
Egbedun, while speaking on the matter via a statement on X, described it as nothing but abuse of power by the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, which he said should be a source of concern and embarrassment to every patriotic Nigerian.
He said, “The Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and I were all present at the INEC Stakeholders’ Meeting, where we sat together throughout the proceedings.
“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.
“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.’
“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.”
Speaking further, he said that some minutes later, he was informed by Igbalaye 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,” he added.
The Speaker also recounted his personal experience with CP Gotan, saying, “At one point we received credible intelligence that some APC 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.
“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.
“In my view, Commissioner Gotan and some officers under his command have caused significant disruption in Osun State, and I sincerely believe he does not deserve to continue serving in our dear state. 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.
“Indeed, 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. 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.
“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.”
