Scores of residents of communities in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State have protested over an alleged encroachment and sale of their ancestral land by the Deji of Akure kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi.
The residents, who are mostly farmers and community leaders, lamented that the encroachment has continued to disrupt their farming, threaten livelihoods, and heighten security in the ancient communities in Idanre.
But, Oba Aladelusi dismissed claims that the disputed land belongs to Idanre, describing the allegation as false, misleading, and an attempt at blackmail.
The monarch’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Michael Adeyeye, said the land is part of Akure Kingdom.
According to him, the issue has been settled by the Supreme Court, which listed lands belonging to Akure, including Aponmu and Olokuta communities.
“It is a total falsehood and an unwarranted allegation against the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi. The said land belongs to Akure and not Idanre community.
“There is a Supreme Court judgment, and in that judgment, all the lands belonging to Akure were clearly stated and listed, including Aponmu and Olokuta. The court clearly ruled that Idanre or anyone else should no longer trespass on those lands,” he added.
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The Akure monarch explained that the same individuals making the claims had previously taken the matter to court and lost, noting that none of the judgments delivered against them had been appealed.
But angered by the development, the aggrieved residents staged a protest to call the attention of the state government led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to the disputed land.
They decried the alleged land grabbing, saying some “powerful individuals” in the government were also being used to acquire the land.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved residents, the Olu of Onipanu, Claudius Ademetoye, alleged that the disputed land is not under the authority of the Akure monarch.
Ademetoye said Aiyedatiwa should intervene and protect the Idanre territory from what he termed “Akure’s expansionist,” noting that similar concerns have also been raised by other neighbouring communities of Owena and Olokuta.
According to him, the continued encroachment of their land is threatening the peace and economic stability of the host communities.
“This land is not Akure land. It is outside Deji’s jurisdiction. We are the rightful owners and we have valid Certificates of Occupancy to prove our ownership yet attempts are being made to sell what does not belong to Akure,” he said.
The Olu of Aponmu, Adeyemi Bajulaye, said they inherited the land from their ancestors.
He warned that failure of the government to act could lead to serious conflict as the communities are determined to defend their ancestral economic lifeline.
“These lands were bequeathed to us by our ancestors. They are our heritage, our identity, and our means of survival. No authority can legitimately take what our forefathers handed down to us,” he said.
Aladelusi stated that some of the individuals laying claim to the land were granted temporary permission by Akure to farm there.
“They were allowed to use the land temporarily for farming. That does not translate to ownership. You cannot come to another man’s land and begin to claim it as yours,” he said.
The Akure monarch said the land is being acquired for development, adding that the people of Akure are committed to compensating those whose crops may be affected.
“Kabiyesi (monarch) is a humane and peace-loving ruler. Compensation will be paid to those whose crops are affected during the acquisition process,” he assured.
He, however, warned against actions capable of causing unnecessary tension, stressing that Akure had shown maturity by setting up a committee to address boundary issues, with the state government also clarifying its position on the matter.
“We are peace-loving people and ready to accommodate our neighbours, but we will not tolerate cheap blackmail or deliberate provocation,” he added.
