BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Osun State Government has banned a traditional ruler in the state, Olu of Ile-Ogbo, Oba Abeeb Agbaje Arowo, Okunjoye II from participating in land transactions in his domain.
The ban directive was issued on Wednesday following his appearance before the Osun State Attorney General, Wole Jimi-Bada and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,
Dosu Babatunde.
The state government noted that the decision became necessary to curtail frequent alleged cases of land grabbing by the monarch within Ileogbo and surrounding villages.
It recalled that many people from Ile-Ogbo township, Eleni and Moomu Abimbola villages had written several petitions against Oba Abeeb on his conducts of forceful acquisition and sales of subjects’ land, and subsequent intimidation of innocent land owners using the judiciary and the police.
He was banned from participating in land transactions and using any of his palace cronies to engage in forceful acquisition of citizens land.
The commissioners told the monarch to warn his emissaries and accomplices, mostly the head of Ile-Ogbo princes, Gbadewolu Oyelami Kasali and other chiefs he uses to perpetrate the illegality.
“Aside from numerous newspaper publications, we have received petitions against the Palace and office of the Olu of Ile-Ogbo, HRM Oba Abeeb Adetoyese Agbaje Arowo Okunjoye II of forceful land acquisition and sales.
“Most of those publications and petitions are pointing to the state government as an accomplice. Just two days ago, it was boldly written on the front page of The Guardian Newspaper, of helpless people seeking government intervention. To sustain the integrity of our government and ensure a peaceful atmosphere in Ile-Ogbo and adjoining villages, the Olu of Ileogbo should stop engaging in land transactions in whatever form within the Ayedire Local Government pending our investigation.
“We have set up committee to investigate and come up with report and recommendations. The warning should be respected. Anyone whose land has been taken unjustly or forcefully should not hesitate to get across through the Osun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,” the commisoners said.
