A public dispute has broken out between the Osun State Government and the Osun State Police Command over the arrest and detention of Abiodun Adegoke Apesin, an aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke. Both sides have traded accusations, raising questions about due process, professionalism, and the rule of law.
The controversy followed the arrest of Apesin by the police and his detention for several days. While the police insist the arrest was based on a criminal petition and handled according to the law, the state government has accused the command of unlawful arrest, prolonged detention, and giving conflicting accounts of events.
The Osun State Police Command explained its position in a statement issued by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, and signed by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Giwa-Alade Emmanuel. The statement was a response to earlier comments made by Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to Governor Adeleke.
According to the police, Apesin’s arrest followed a formal petition linked to a publication allegedly made on December 27, 2025. The police described the publication as malicious and damaging, claiming it was directed against a prominent son of Osun State.
The statement said investigations began immediately after the petition was received. The police claimed that Apesin was invited for questioning but allegedly went into hiding. His alleged accomplice, identified as Iyiola Monsuru, was said to have been arrested earlier.
“Through diligent intelligence analysis, Mr Apesin was eventually arrested on January 7, 2026,” the statement said. The police further alleged that Apesin confessed during interrogation and pleaded for leniency.
The command added that both suspects were charged before the Federal High Court in Osogbo on January 9, 2026. It insisted that the case was purely criminal and had no political motive.
“The Command maintains that these actions are purely criminal investigations and are not politically motivated or targeted at any political party or its affiliates,” the police said. It also stated that the command, under Commissioner Gotan, remained committed to professionalism, impartiality, and the protection of human rights.
However, the Osun State Government strongly rejected the police account. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government accused the police of unlawful arrest, illegal detention, and inconsistency in their public communication.
The government described it as troubling that the police allegedly issued an initial statement, deleted it, and later released a revised version. According to the government, this action showed inconsistency, lack of clarity, and poor professionalism.
One major issue raised by the state government was the identity of the person who submitted the petition. While the police claimed the petition came from the alleged victim, the government said documents shown to Apesin’s legal counsel indicated that the petition was written by the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Irewole Local Government Area, Arimiyau Owoade.
The government said the police should explain why they publicly claimed the petition was submitted by another individual when documentary evidence suggested otherwise.
The Osun Government also disputed the claim that Apesin and Monsuru were invited by the police. According to the government, neither of the men was invited for questioning before their arrest.
“At no time were Mr Adegoke or Mr Monsuru invited by the Police but were instead arrested without prior notice,” the statement said.
The government further challenged the police description of Apesin’s mechanic workshop as a “hideout.” It said Apesin was arrested at his place of work on January 7, 2026, and not while hiding from the authorities.
On the allegation that Apesin confessed and pleaded for leniency, the state government described the claim as false. It challenged the police to provide credible evidence to support the allegation.
Another major point of disagreement is the issue of detention. The Osun Government said Apesin was held from January 7 until late January 12, 2026, a period it described as unlawful since the offence in question is not a capital one.
The government questioned the police claim that Apesin was arraigned in court on January 9, 2026. It asked why administrative bail was granted on the night of January 12 if the suspect had already been arraigned three days earlier.
According to the state government, Apesin’s lawyer applied for administrative bail on January 8, 2026, and followed up with a reminder letter on January 12 after receiving no response from the police.
Citing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Police Act, the government said suspects accused of non-capital offences should be released on bail if arraignment is not practicable within 24 hours.
“The Osun State Police Command owes the public an explanation and accountability for this grave abuse of power,” the statement said.
The dispute has drawn public attention because it involves an aide to a sitting governor and raises wider concerns about the relationship between state governments and security agencies. It also touches on long-standing complaints by Nigerians about unlawful arrests, prolonged detention, and disregard for due process by law enforcement agencies.
As of the time of filing this report, the police have not issued a further response to the latest statement by the Osun State Government. The matter remains unresolved, with both sides standing firmly by their positions.