The police in Osun State released Secretary to the Osun State Government, Chief Igbalaye Teslim, who had been arrested, along with five others, over allegations of harbouring one Oladele Abiodun, popularly known as Ashipa, who was said to be on the police watchlist.
Spokesperson to the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, appreciated the Inspector General of Police, Disu, as well as Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, for Teslim’s release.
Olajengbesi stated, “We appreciate Osun State Command, for listening to the voice of reason, despite pressure, and for responding to the people’s demand regarding the unlawful arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Igbalaye Teslim.
“The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it stands against oppression and upholds justice and the rule of law.”
Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, condemned what he described as an abuse of office by the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Gotan, following the arrest of Teslim by the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olamide Tiamiyu, Egbedundescribed the development as a disturbing abuse of police powers and called on the Inspector General of Police to urgently intervene.
Recounting the circumstances surrounding the arrest, Egbedun said he, the deputy dovernor, and the SSG were seated together during the INEC stakeholders meeting when the Commissioner of Police was booed by participants while addressing the gathering.
He stated, “We witnessed the embarrassing moment when the Commissioner of Police was booed by citizens of Osun State while on the podium. Immediately he returned to his seat, he looked directly at us.
“At that moment, the Secretary to the State Government laughed, and the next thing I saw was the commissioner picking up his phone and making a series of calls.
“I immediately told the SSG that I suspected the Commissioner of Police had ordered his arrest. A few minutes later, the SSG received a call informing him that police officers were waiting for him at his residence. He left the meeting immediately.”
According to. Egbedun, the SSG later informed him that he had been invited to the State CID over allegations that N4 million and two voter cards belonging to members of his political party, who had held a meeting within his compound, were found by the police.
“I find it difficult to understand how such an allegation warranted an arrest, let alone attempting to embarrass, a serving Secretary to the State Government. That action raises serious questions about the motive behind the invitation,” he stated.
The speaker also alleged that he had personally been subjected to similar acts of intimidation by the Commissioner of Police.
He stated, “There was a time we received credible intelligence that some APC thugs were planning to attack my residence. While my security personnel and I remained on alert, my orderly received a call directing that every police officer attached to me should report to the Commissioner’s office for questioning.
“I immediately called the Commissioner and made it abundantly clear that I would never bow to intimidation. I am an Onikoyi son, and I will neither abandon my home nor my state because of anyone. Public office should never be used as a weapon to intimidate innocent people.”
Accord Party Demands Tinubu, Police, DSS Chiefs Intervention to Protect Osun Poll
Accord Party called on President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser (NSA), Inspector-General of Police (IGP), civil society organisations, and the international community to urgently intervene in the conduct of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The party warned that recent actions by the security agencies could undermine the credibility of the poll.
It alleged that about 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters had been arrested and detained across the state in what it described as a politically-motivated crackdown aimed at frustrating its campaign ahead of the election.
Accord also renewed its demand for the immediate removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of compromising the neutrality expected of the police during the electoral process.
The allegations were contained in a statement issued in Abuja by National Chairman of Accord, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem.
According to the party, the intervention of the president and other critical stakeholders has become necessary to preserve Nigeria’s democratic credentials and guarantee a level playing field for all political parties participating in the governorship election.