The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has faulted the allegations surrounding the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, describing the police action as unjustified and a misuse of authority.
The Speaker’s reaction followed the arrest of the SSG by the Osun State Police Command over the alleged recovery of N4.8 million and voter cards from his residence.
The police had said the items were recovered during an operation at the SSG’s residence, leading to his arrest for further investigation.
In a statement, Egbedun alleged that the action against the SSG was linked to an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting, where he, the Deputy Governor and the SSG were present.
According to the Speaker, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, was booed by some members of the public while addressing participants at the meeting and later returned to his seat, where he looked towards the SSG and other government officials.
Egbedun claimed that the SSG laughed at the incident, after which he observed the Commissioner making a series of phone calls.
“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 stated.
The Speaker said the SSG later received a call informing him that police officers were waiting for him at his residence, prompting him to leave the event.
He added that the SSG informed him he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the alleged recovery of N4 million and two voter cards belonging to members of his political party who were holding a meeting at his residence.
Egbedun questioned the basis of the police action, saying the allegation did not justify inviting or attempting to arrest a public official of the SSG’s status.
“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 recalled a previous encounter with the Commissioner, alleging that police officers attached to him were once directed to report to the Commissioner’s office despite security concerns over a reported threat to his residence.
He further alleged that he had received information suggesting that some police officers were planning to implicate and arrest him, adding that he would not leave Osun State because of what he described as intimidation.
“I will not abandon Osun for anyone. If those behind these alleged plans decide to carry them out, I believe justice will ultimately prevail,” he said.
Egbedun called on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene, urging the police authorities to ensure that policing in Osun State remains professional, impartial and guided by the rule of law.
The Osun State Police Command has maintained that the SSG’s arrest followed the discovery of the alleged items and that investigations into the matter are ongoing.