Monarch cries out over land grabbers’ threat to community

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Amonarch, Oba of Ilogbo-Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State, Oba Samuel Olufemi Ojugbele, has raised the alarm over the violent activities of suspected land grabbers in his domain. Consequently, Oba Ojugbele has sent a save-our-soul message to Governor Ibikunle Amosun; the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and other security agencies to urgently come to the aid of his community and save his subjects from the menace of the suspected land grabbers now threatening to take over his community.

The royal father alleged in a statement that the gang of suspected land grabbers, allegedly being led by one Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye, had continued to make life unbearable for him and the people in his domain, making it impossible for them to sleep with their eyes closed. Oba Ojugbele said that those among his subjects who could no longer endure the menace of the suspected land grabbers had relocated from the community.

He further explained that trouble started some few years ago, when, without proper authority, Owoeye and his gang allegedly invaded his kingdom with the plan to forcibly take possession of parcels of land situated at Ajelanwa Olowo Igbo Village and Kajola Iboro Village via Atan Ota in Ogun State and the community resisted them.

Oba Ojugbele said, “Thereafter, the matter was taken before the Honourable Judge of the High Court of Justice in Ogun State. Justice O.S. Olusanya, while giving his judgement on the 29th February, 2016, ruled that the Oba, Alhaji Suraju Olusesi, Babatunde Akinde, Chief Abayomi Ojugbele, on behalf of members of Oyeyemi Asalu Family of Ige Isalu, Ota are entitled to the Statutory Right of Occupancy over the parcels of land in dispute situate at Ajelanwa Olowo Igbo Village and Kajola Iboro Village Via Atan-Ota, Ogun State which are within the large land of the Claimants shown in Survey Plan No. OG/0756/2016/LID made by I.O. Ayegbayo registered Surveyor and dated 18/05/2015 as well as Survey Plan No. OG/0756/2004/016 draw by I.O. Ayegbayo registered Surveyor and dated 5/11/2004.

“Secondly, that the 1st – 6th Defendants have no right to engage the 7th – 9th Defendants that includes Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye as agents over the land in dispute situate at Ajelanwa Olowo Igbo Village or sell any portion thereof.

“Thirdly, an order of forfeiture of the Customary Tenancy of the 1st –6th Defendants is granted in respect of the portion of land granted to them at Ajelanwa Olowo Igbo Village and possession of same is granted to the Claimants.

“Fourthly, an order of forfeiture of the Customary Tenancy of the 10th– 11th Defendants is granted in respect of the portion of land granted to them as Customary tenants at Kajola Iboro Village and possession of same is granted to the Claimants.

“In closing the case, the learned Judge had given a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants that include Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye, their heirs, agents and privies from further remaining on the aforesaid land and/ or committing any further acts of trespass thereon.”

The worried monarch, however, expressed surprise that inspite of the judgment of the court, Owoeye and his cohorts had allegedly refused to allow peace to reign in his kingdom.

Oba Ojugbele also said he was not happy that Owoeye, who was once charged before a Magistrate Court in Lagos on a six-count of arming himself and his gang of thugs with guns, and other offensive weapons to commit felony by demolishing houses belonging to members of the community in Oko-Olomi, Oko-Ile, Itapampa and other villages, had been going around as a freeman.

Continuing, the monarch said, “A man who is notoriously known to intimidate and causes breach of peace, a man who is alleged to have converted one Pathfinder Jeep valued at N2,500,000.00 (Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira), one Xtera Jeep Ash Colour valued at N3,500,000.00 (Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira), a Toyota Camry Car Ash Colour valued at N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) properties of one Muniru Saka and 150 cow, is not behind bars.

“That a man who led his gangs of thugs and did attempt to unlawfully kill by shooting one Saheed Oloore with gun should be left to continue his brigandage, leaves a sour taste in the mouth.” Oba Ojugbele, therefore, urged the relevant authorities to bring Owoeye and his suspected gang of thugs to the path of sanity.