The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has given an account of the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, that contradicts the version given by the state police command’s spokesperson.

Egbedun accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of ordering the arrest of Igbalaye, in retaliation for being booed at a public event.

He said the abuse of power involved “should be a source of concern and embarrassment to every patriotic Nigerian.”

In a personally signed statement on Thursday, the Speaker said he witnessed the trigger for the arrest at an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting he attended alongside the Deputy Governor and Igbalaye.

“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 he grew uneasy after watching Gotan reach for his phone.

“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.

His prediction, he said, played out within minutes.

“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.

Igbalaye later told him he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department over items allegedly recovered from 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 Osun Police Command had given a different account of the raid. Its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers acted on intelligence that criminal gangs were hiding out in Osogbo and recovered N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter’s Cards, a voter register and other items suspected to be linked to electoral offences.

He said only six suspects, all adults, were arrested, dismissing claims by the Adeleke campaign that dozens more had been picked up.

Gotan has also pushed back on calls for his removal, according to Ojelabi, saying the decision on his posting rests with the Inspector-General of Police and not with him.

Egbedun said the SSG’s arrest was not an isolated incident, citing a personal experience with Gotan that he said should help the public understand his concerns.

“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.

The Speaker said he confronted Gotan directly over the incident.

“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 said he had since received intelligence that some officers under Gotan were plotting to implicate and arrest him too.

“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.

He said he remained undeterred.

“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.

The Speaker appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene.

“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. (PUNCH)

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