Speaker Claims Police Ordered SSG's Arrest for Retaliation

Adewale Egbedun, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, has stated that the arrest of Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the State Government, was ordered by Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan as retaliation for being booed at a public event. Egbedun recounted witnessing the incident during an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting, where Gotan was booed, and shortly after, he observed Gotan making phone calls.

Egbedun warned Igbalaye that an arrest was imminent, which occurred shortly thereafter when police officers arrived at Igbalaye's residence. Igbalaye was reportedly invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department regarding N4 million and two voter cards allegedly found at his compound.

The Osun Police Command, represented by Public Relations Officer Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that the police acted on intelligence regarding criminal gangs and recovered over N4.8 million and other items linked to electoral offenses. Egbedun expressed concern over the abuse of power and the implications for public officials.