Nigerian Eye
Osun Guber: How Police Commissioner ordered SSG Igbalaye’s arrest at INEC meeting – Speaker
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale
Olumide Egbedun, has given his own account of what led to the arrest of the
Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, on Wednesday.
Recall that on Wednesday, the Osun State Police
Command arrested several suspects, including Igbalaye, following an operation
linked to an alleged vote-buying investigation in Osogbo.
The police said the arrests were carried out during an
operation in which officers also recovered millions of naira, electoral
materials and other exhibits.
According to the police, “The operation was carried out
after the command received credible and actionable intelligence that a criminal
gang was operating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.”
Egbedun, while speaking on the matter via a statement on X,
described it as nothing but abuse of power by the Osun State Commissioner of
Police, Ibrahim Gotan, which he said should be a source of concern and
embarrassment to every patriotic Nigerian.
He said, “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.
“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.’
“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.”
Speaking further, he said that some minutes later, he was
informed by Igbalaye 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,” he added
The Speaker also recounted his personal experience with CP
Gotan, saying, “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.
“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.
“In my view, Commissioner Gotan and some officers under his
command have caused significant disruption in Osun State, and I sincerely
believe he does not deserve to continue serving in our dear state. 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.
“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.
“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.”
3 hours ago
