Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Egbedun has accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of abusing his office over the arrest of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye.
The police said on Wednesday they arrested Mr Igbalaye and five others. They also said officers recovered N4.8 million, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two voter cards and a voter register covering wards 1-15 from his residence.
Reacting on Thursday, Mr Egbedun described the arrest as worrying and embarrassing. He claimed Mr Igbalaye was targeted after laughing when Mr Gotan was booed during an INEC stakeholders’ meeting.
“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.”
Mr Egbedun said he noticed the commissioner making several phone calls before warning the SSG he might be arrested. He added the SSG later got a call saying police officers were at his home and left the meeting early.
“Some minutes later, I contacted him to find out what had happened. 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 also accused Mr Gotan of withdrawing police officers assigned to him despite security warnings about a planned attack on his home.
“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.”
He said he challenged the commissioner over the order.
“I immediately telephoned the commissioner and told him that I am a proud son of Onikoyi, and that I will 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.”
Mr Egbedun further accused Mr Gotan of causing “significant disruption” in Osun and claimed he received intelligence that some police officers were planning to implicate and arrest him.
“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.”
The speaker appealed to Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to redeploy Mr Gotan, alleging residents had faced hardship and intimidation under his leadership.
“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.”
