The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, Arusa 1 , on Tuesday handed a suspected land grabber over to the Department of State Services, DSS.
A statement signed by Olubadan’s Media Aide, Adeola Oloko, explained that the suspect, whose name was not mentioned, was arrested in connection with dispute over a landed property at Elebu area of Ibadanland, involving Akoto and Ojofeitimi families.
The statement added that some suspected land grabbers claimed ownership of the land, even after the matter had been brought to the attention of Oba Ladoja.
It added that one of the families, Kunle Ojofeitimi, was allegedly assaulted, battered and treated at Adeoyo State Hospital for wounds during the period of investigation, despite stern warning by the Olubadan and his Council that the parties should give peace a chance.
The statement read:
“The battle against landgrabbing in the ancient city of Ibadan took a new dimension on Tuesday, as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa 1, handed a suspect (name witheld) over to the Oyo State Directorate of State Security Service, DSS.
Trouble started when two families, Akoto and Ojofeitimi, sought the intervention of the Olubadan on the lingering dispute over the ownership of a landed property along ICAST, Elebu Area of the city, where the Ojofeitimi families reside.
The Akoto family, represented by three individuals had claimed ownership of a part of the land, but the Ojofeitimi family disagreed, saying the whole land belongs to them.
The two families were then invited to a mini- meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council sometime last month to make their presentations and submit proofs of ownership for verification, with a directive that both parties stop any form of threat and further development on the land, pending the outcome of the investigation by the Palace.
However, luck ran out of the landgrabbing suspects on Tuesday when the two parties to the dispute were invited to the presentation of the investigation outcome at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.
At the meeting, the duo were told that the land inhabited by the Ojofeitimi family along ICAST Elebu Area, Ibadan does not belong to the Akoto family, adding that the survey plans purportedly submitted as proofs of ownership by the two warring factions are very clear.
At the presentation of the report,the Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Oyo State, Ajibade Bashiru Bolanle told the gathering that his findings from personal survey and the records from the State Ministry of Lands showed that while Ojofeitimi survey plan has red copy, that of Akoto does not.
But trouble started when two of three members of the Akoto group did not show up at the meeting. The matter became serious when it was alleged that despite stern warning by the Olubadan and his Council that the parties should give peace a chance, one Kunle Ojofeitimi was allegedly assaulted, battered and treated at Adeoyo State Hospital for wounds during the period of investigation.
The case was reported to the Police. The incident fuelled speculation that the two others were intentionally absent”.
