CSO Demands Arrest and Prosecution of Osun Speaker Over Alleged Death Threat to Monarch

OSOGBO, OSUN STATE – September 2, 2025 — A civil society group, the Osun Youth Initiative for Good Governance (OYIGG), has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olumide Egbedun, over allegations of issuing a death threat to a traditional ruler.

In a statement signed by its National Convener, Dr. Akande Adeyemi, the group urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to thoroughly investigate a leaked audio recording in which a voice, alleged to be Egbedun’s, is heard threatening the Alasi of Asi, Oba Oyewale Olasunkanmi. The speaker allegedly warned the monarch in Yoruba that if he resisted political influence, he could be jailed and “might not come out alive.”

The monarch officially petitioned authorities on July 29, after the audio clip went viral on July 23.

Describing the Speaker’s alleged comments as “rascality of the highest order,” the OYIGG accused Egbedun of a pattern of disrespect toward traditional institutions, citing previous incidents involving:

• The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul Rasheed Olabomi
• Alleged harassment of a senator’s aide in Ilesa
• Threats against Hon. Musubai in Odo-Otin
• Derogatory remarks directed at the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Laaroye II
• Verbal attacks on Governor’s aide, Alhaji Muniru Raji

Dr. Adeyemi emphasized that “no one is above the law,” adding that the alleged threat is not just an insult to a royal father but a direct affront to democratic and cultural values in Osun State.

He further warned that “power is transient” and any attempt to shield the Speaker would damage both his image and the integrity of the institutions he represents.

The group has also called on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Osun State Council of Obas to ensure the matter is not swept under the carpet.

In addition to legal action, the OYIGG is demanding Egbedun’s immediate impeachment, urging the state government to resist any political pressure to protect him.

Efforts to reach the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu, for comments have been unsuccessful as calls and text messages over the last 48 hours went unanswered.