Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has alleged that the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, was ordered by the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, in retaliation for being booed at a public event. Egbedun made the allegation in a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, July 30, 2026, directly contradicting the official account provided by the Osun State Police Command regarding the circumstances surrounding the SSG's arrest.
According to the Speaker, the incident that triggered the arrest occurred during an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders' meeting attended by Egbedun, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, and the SSG. Egbedun claimed that the Commissioner of Police was booed by members of the public while addressing participants at the event. "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," Egbedun said.
The Speaker alleged that shortly afterwards, the police commissioner made a series of phone calls, prompting him to suspect that Igbalaye was about to be arrested. "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,'" Egbedun recounted. According to him, his prediction came true minutes later when the SSG received a call informing him that police officers were waiting at his residence. "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," Egbedun said.
The Speaker said Igbalaye later informed him that he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after 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," Egbedun added.
The Speaker's account differs sharply from that of the Osun State Police Command. The command's spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, had earlier stated that officers acted on credible intelligence about suspected criminal activities in Osogbo, leading to the recovery of N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, and other items believed to be linked to possible electoral offences. The police also maintained that six adult suspects were arrested during the operation and dismissed claims that dozens of people had been detained. 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.
Egbedun further accused the police commissioner of abusing his office, describing the alleged actions as disturbing and embarrassing. He also recounted a separate incident in which he claimed Commissioner Gotan ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to him despite intelligence of an impending attack on his residence. "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," Egbedun said. The Speaker alleged that he had also received intelligence suggesting some police officers were plotting to implicate and arrest him, but insisted he would not leave Osun State out of fear. "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.
Appealing to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene, Egbedun urged the police leadership to ensure professionalism and impartiality in policing the state. "The people of Osun are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who deserve policing that is professional, impartial, and free from personal vendettas," he said. Egbedun maintained that the alleged arrest of the SSG formed part of a broader pattern of intimidation, recounting what he described as a similar experience involving the police commissioner.
The Osun State Police Command had earlier confirmed the arrest of Igbalaye and five others following an intelligence-led raid on his residence in Osogbo, where officers recovered millions of naira and electoral materials. The command said the operation was carried out after receiving credible intelligence that a criminal gang was operating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo. The police also stated that one of those arrested at the SSG's residence was Oladele Abiodun, a suspect on its watchlist in connection with alleged criminal offences.
The arrest of the SSG has heightened political tensions in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The Osun State Government has condemned the arrest, with the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, accusing the police of invading the SSG's residence without a search warrant. The government also alleged that the police had raided the residences of several commissioners and other top government officials. The Imole Campaign Council for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke has described the arrest of over 86 of its canvassers, including the SSG, as "authoritarian politics". As the investigation continues, the police have urged residents to remain calm while assuring them of the command's commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and credible electoral process.
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