The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has stopped the proposed demolition of about 200 houses at Isokan Estate extension, Alao Akala, Elebu area, Ibadan.
A statement signed by the monarch’s media aide, Adeola Oloko, explained that the order to save the houses, many of whose rooftops have been removed, and marked for demolition, was given on Tuesday, after meeting with the relevant stakeholders.
The first class monarch also directed landlords, whose house rooftops were removed to fix them back, warning land grabbers to stay away from the area, as the disputed land was not up for grabs.
The meeting agreed that fresh ground markings to determine the length and breadth of the land in question by independent surveyors be carried out, and tracked with the Oyo State Ministry of Lands.
“By so doing, we would be able to know who is trespassing whose land, and what next line of action to take”. Oba Ladoja stated.
The Olubadan of Ibadaland however, commended the Oyo State new Police Commissioner, Abimbola Olugbenga for prompt police presence in the area, to ensure that the crisis did not go out of hand.
Recall that the Olubadan residence was on Sunday besieged by lorry loads of Isokan Extension landlords, to inform him of the planned demolition, following an Ibadan High Court judgement in favour of one Mogaji Olopade Taofeek Abiola, also known as Mogaji Oloyin.
Mogaji Oloyin had told Olubadan that 31 acres of land situated at Isokan Extension was his family inheritance, with a valid court judgement and survey plan, noting that he had tried to bring the attention of people concerned to the reality, and effort to call the landlords to a negotiation table was rebuffed.
Speaking on the issue, the Isokan Community spokesman, Isiaq Olatunji, told Olubadan that “apart from rooftops removed, some house fence had been pulled down, with the implication that we are all living in fear, and unless Kabiyesi Olubadan intervenes, we might be displaced for no just cause.”
He stated further that neighbourhoods beyond Oloyin, which are not covered by the judgement like Alausa, Aromokun, Oluyedun are unduly threatened with the implication that over 400 houses might be demolished.
Present at the meeting were the Chairman, Association of Ibadan Mogajis, Chief Asimiyu Ariori, Land Committee Secretary, Mogaji Odeku, Baale Apena, among others.
