A family in Itunla Ofin, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State has accused the Oba of Elepe, Oba Adewale Osiberu, of alleged land grabbing and intimidation, calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun and Akarigbo of Remo Land to urgently intervene.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Alhaji (Hon.) Muraino Hassan said the disputed land, located in Oriyara, rightfully belongs to their forefathers and has been in the family for generations.
“My name is Alhaji Honourable Muraino Hassan. I am one of the family members in Itunla Ofin, Sagamu LG. Our land is located in Oriyara. That is where our forefathers were born and lived their lives. They only came to Itunla during weekends because Oniyara was their main settlement,” he said.
According to him, the land was previously leased out for rubber plantation but ownership was later returned to the family by the government. He stated that the transfer was properly documented and facilitated with the assistance of the Ogun State Government under former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), alongside the Oba of Elepe at the time.
“At some point, our properties were used for rubber plantation by those it was leased to, but later the government transferred the ownership back to us. We have documents to back this up,” Hassan explained.
However, he alleged that shortly after the ownership was restored to the family, Oba Osiberu began laying claim to the land.
“Surprisingly, after the land ownership was transferred to us, the Oba of Elepe suddenly claimed the landed properties belong to him and said if we want to collect the land, we should pay N800,000 each. None of us agreed to that,” he said.
Hassan further alleged that when the family decided to take possession of the land based on their documentation and engaged a surveyor to measure the property, they were attacked.
“When our fathers took us to the land and we called a surveyor to measure it, the Oba of Elepe allegedly sent thugs with different weapons. Many of us were injured,” he claimed.
The family also questioned the traditional jurisdiction over the land, insisting that the Akarigbo of Remoland, not the Oba of Elepe, has authority over the Oriyara area.
“In fact, it is only the Akarigbo that has the right to rule over our land, not Elepe. We are the rightful owners of Oriyara land,” Hassan maintained.
The family is now appealing to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Akarigbo of Remo Land and relevant security agencies to intervene, investigate the matter, and protect them from what they describe as harassment and intimidation.
While speaking with the Oba of Elepe, he denied involvement, while asking the family to meet the government.
“It’s a lie, I didn’t lay claim to the land. It’s a government land and they should go and meet government and not involve me”
Furthermore, one of the chiefs in the town, Bashorun Arowolo is also being accused of conniving with the local government chairman of Sagamu LG on the landed properties. It was revealed that Arowolo allegedly brought the Sagamu LG into the land, while lying that the government is interested in the property.
