The Secretary to Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, was detained after, the Speaker says, the state Commissioner of Police ordered his arrest following a public snubbing.
Speaker Adewale Egbedun offered an account that conflicts with the Osun Police Command’s version of events, accusing Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan of abusing his power in retaliation for being booed at an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders meeting. Egbedun said he, the Deputy Governor and Igbalaye were present when Gotan was jeered on the podium and, on returning to his seat, fixed his gaze on them.
Egbedun said he then saw Gotan reach for his phone and make a series of calls. He told the SSG, "The Commissioner of Police has just ordered your arrest," and within minutes Igbalaye received a call that police officers were waiting at his residence. Igbalaye left the meeting and later informed the Speaker he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department over items allegedly recovered from his compound.
The Speaker said Igbalaye told him police alleged N4 million and two voter cards belonging to members of his political party were found where the party held a meeting. Egbedun questioned how such an allegation justified summoning or attempting to arrest a senior public official.
The Osun Police Command provided a different account. Public Relations Officer Abiodun Ojelabi said officers acted on intelligence about criminal gangs in Osogbo, recovering N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter’s Cards, a voter register and other items suspected to be linked to electoral offences. Ojelabi said six adults were arrested, and he dismissed claims by the Adeleke campaign that dozens were detained. He also reported that Gotan has pushed back on calls for his removal, noting posting decisions rest with the Inspector-General of Police.
Egbedun said the SSG’s arrest was not isolated. He recalled receiving intelligence of a planned attack on his own residence, and that Gotan had directed his police orderly to have every police officer attached to the Speaker report to Gotan’s office for questioning. He confronted the commissioner, telling him, "I am a proud son of Onikoyi, and that I neither fear nor bow to intimidation."
The Speaker said he has since received information that some officers under Gotan are planning to implicate and arrest him. He appealed to Inspector-General Olatunji Disu to intervene, arguing the people of Osun deserve policing that is "professional, impartial and respectful of the rule of law." The police maintain the operation was intelligence-led, leaving the next move with the IGP.
