The Ikangba-Agoro-Imodi-Amosan Communities in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, have underscored the urgent need for relevant authorities to scrutinise the different Judgements of court being presented by some parties in a protracted land dispute, with a view to authenticating their validity, or otherwise.
The call was made on Friday by bona fide indigenes of the community, during a press conference held at the residence of the Baale of Ikangba community,
The development followed a recent publication alleging complicity on the part of the Idowa traditional institution.
During the briefing also, the locals invited relevant security agencies in the State to carry out a detailed investigation of reported threats to the lives of the Baales by suspected land grabbers.
This is as they acknowledged the fact that land matters are civil in nature, hence the need for the Courts to adjudicate on them.
Among other demands, the communities appealed to the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other relevant agencies to: “Investigate everybody. Protect everybody. Believe no one merely because of position or influence. Let
evidence speak.
Signed by Ola Oluwa Okutubo, the text reads in part: “We also appeal to the authorities to ensure that no security personnel is used to enforce a private land claim. No person should enter disputed land with firearms or dangerous weapons. No bulldozer should be used to destroy another person’s farm while the ownership of the land remains under dispute.No resident should be intimidated.
“No traditional institution should be falsely accused.And no genuine landowner should be dispossessed without due process of law.
“We respectfully call on the Ogun State Government to direct a comprehensive and impartial investigation
into the entire matter.
“Let the government establish the historical ownership, present claims, documentary evidence, court
judgments, boundaries and activities of all parties concerning the affected areas.
We also appeal to the government to protect the peace of Ikangba, Imodi, Imosan and Agoro and prevent the
dispute from escalating into a security crisis”.
In conclusion, the Ikangba community stated categorically that: ‘as bona fide sons of Ikangba, we cannot work against our own town.
“We cannot deliberately harm our people, destroy their property or support anything capable of bringing
suffering, violence or instability to Ikangba.
“Our position is not about fighting anybody. It is about protecting the truth, preserving peace and ensuring that our people are not intimidated or
dispossessed through extra-legal means.
“If anyone believes that he has a legitimate claim to any portion of land in Ikangba, Imodi, Imosan or Agoro,
let him come forward with his evidence and submit himself to lawful investigation and adjudication.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Olarewaju Ogungbade (SAN), is set to conduct an independent enquiry into the land dispute rocking the Ikangba community in Ologbolu Local Government Area of the State.
