Governor Adeleke urges IGP to caution Osun CP

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to bring the Osun Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Gothan, to account for the arrests and unlawful detention of individuals within the state.

The Governor also demanded the immediate release of his aide, Abiodun Adegoke Apesin, who has been denied bail multiple times due to a defamation complaint involving Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate.

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In a statement released in Osogbo, the governor criticized the ongoing detention of Adegoke, emphasizing that it violates his fundamental human rights, especially as the issue raised in the APC’s petition is a non-capital offense eligible for bail under Nigerian law.

Governor Adeleke expressed concern as to why the police would refuse bail on two occasions, despite Adegoke meeting the necessary requirements, labeling such actions as “unacceptable partisan behavior” from the state police command.

He has urged the IGP to instruct the Commissioner to facilitate the immediate and unconditional release of Adegoke, warning against the police becoming instruments of political agendas, which could jeopardize the state’s peace and security.

“Adegoke has been detained for over five days without being charged, and his bail has been denied twice, which constitutes a serious violation of the law and the constitution,” the governor stated.

He pointed out that under Commissioner Gothan, the Osun Police Command appears to be abandoning professionalism, with excessive detentions occurring without formal charges or bail, often at the behest of opposition political leaders.

The governor insisted on the unconditional release of Adegoke and the cessation of the systematic harassment of his media aides, who are operating lawfully. He noted that before Adegoke, another aide, Mr. Iyiola Monsuru, was also detained without a prior official police invitation.

“The police must not project an image of serving the political interests of the APC and its leaders. They should be impartial, non-partisan, and dedicated to serving all Nigerians,” he concluded.