Speaker Egbedun Recounts SSG’s Ordeal, Accuses Osun CP of Abuse of Power
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has given a detailed account of the events surrounding the attempted arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, accusing the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, of abuse of power.
Egbedun described the Commissioner’s actions as a source of concern and embarrassment to patriotic Nigerians.
According to the Speaker, he, the Deputy Governor, and the SSG were together at the recent INEC Stakeholders’ Meeting when CP Gotan was booed by citizens while addressing the gathering. Egbedun said that upon returning to his seat, the Commissioner looked directly in the direction of their group, at which point the SSG laughed.
The Speaker disclosed that he subsequently observed the Commissioner making a series of phone calls, which prompted him to remark to the SSG that the Commissioner had ordered his arrest. Minutes later, the SSG reportedly received a call informing him that police officers were waiting at his residence, forcing him to leave the event immediately.
Egbedun said that when he later contacted the SSG to ascertain what had transpired, he was informed that he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, over an allegation that police recovered N4 million and two voter cards belonging to members of his political party during a meeting held within his compound.
The Speaker questioned how such an allegation could warrant the invitation or attempted arrest of a public official of the SSG’s standing.
Personal Account
Egbedun also recounted a separate incident involving his own security detail. He said that after receiving intelligence about a planned attack on his residence by alleged APC thugs, his police orderly received a call from CP Gotan directing all officers attached to the Speaker to report to his office for questioning that same day.
He said he responded by telling the Commissioner directly that he is “a proud son of Onikoyi” who neither fears nor bows to intimidation, and made it clear that he would not abandon his state or ancestral home. He added that he reminded the Commissioner that every act of wrongdoing carries consequences.
Calls for IGP’s Intervention
The Speaker stated that CP Gotan and some officers under his command have caused significant disruption in Osun State. He revealed that in the past two weeks, he has received information suggesting that some officers were strategising to implicate and arrest him.
Egbedun said he had been advised by many to leave the state or vacate his residence for safety reasons, but had refused, maintaining his resolve to remain in Osun regardless of any alleged plans against him.
He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to urgently intervene, stressing that the people of Osun State deserve policing that is professional, impartial, and respectful of the rule of law, rather than what he described as hardship and intimidation under CP Gotan’s leadership.
