Fresh controversy has emerged over the arrest of Osun State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, with the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, accusing the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of abusing his office.
Egbedun claimed the SSG’s invitation by the police followed events that unfolded during an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting, rejecting suggestions that the action was purely intelligence-driven. His remarks come a day after the Osun State Police Command announced the arrest of Igbalaye and several others during an operation linked to an alleged vote-buying investigation in Osogbo.
According to the police, officers acted on credible intelligence indicating that suspected criminal elements were operating within the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo. During the operation, investigators said they recovered millions of naira in cash, voter cards, a voter register and other items now being examined as part of an ongoing investigation into possible electoral offences.
Giving his version of events in a statement shared on X, Egbedun said he, the Deputy Governor and the SSG attended the INEC stakeholders’ meeting together and remained seated throughout the event. He alleged that after Commissioner Gotan was booed by some attendees while addressing the gathering, the police chief noticed Igbalaye laughing before making several phone calls.
“From what I saw, I turned to the SSG and said, ‘The Commissioner of Police has just ordered your arrest,'” Egbedun claimed.
The Speaker said Igbalaye later received a phone call informing him that police officers were waiting at his residence. According to him, the SSG left the meeting shortly afterwards and later informed him that he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after police allegedly recovered ₦4 million and two voter cards belonging to members of his political party who were meeting within his compound.
Egbedun questioned the basis for inviting a senior government official over the alleged recovery, saying he did not believe the circumstances justified the action.
The Speaker also alleged that he had personally experienced intimidation by the police command. He claimed that despite intelligence suggesting his residence could be attacked by suspected political thugs, officers attached to his security detail were allegedly ordered by the Commissioner of Police to report to his office for questioning.
Egbedun further alleged that some police officers had been making efforts to implicate and arrest him in recent weeks. While stating that he had received advice to leave the state for his safety, he insisted he would remain in Osun and would not be intimidated.
He called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene, urging the police leadership to review the conduct of the Osun State Commissioner of Police. According to him, residents deserve professional, impartial and law-abiding policing.
The allegations by the Speaker come amid heightened political tensions in Osun State ahead of the governorship election. Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has maintained that the operation leading to the arrest of the SSG and other suspects was based on credible intelligence and is part of ongoing investigations into alleged criminal and electoral offences.
