The Osun State Government has banned the Olu of Ile-Ogbo, Oba Agbaje Okunjoye, from selling land in his domain.
This was made known by the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akande Oluwafemi Jimoh and Dosu Babatunde. The ban was announced after several petitions bordering on land grabbing in the monarch’s domain.
In a statement signed by the duo, “The decision becomes necessary to put end to frequent alleged cases of landgrabbing by the monarch within Ileogbo and surrounding villages.
“It could be recalled that many people from Ile-Ogbo township, Eleni and Moomu Abimbola villages have written several petitions against the Oba Abeeb on his royal conducts of forceful acquisition and sales of subjects land, and subsequent intimidation of innocent land owners using the judiciary and the police.”
“Aside from numerous newspaper publications, we have received petitions against the Palace and office of the Olu of Ile-Ogbo, HRM Oba Abeeb Adetoyese Agbaje Arowo Okunjoye II of forceful land acquisition and sales.
“Most of those publications and petitions are pointing to the state government as an accomplice. Just two days ago, it was boldly written on the front page of The Guardian Newspaper, of helpless people seeking government intervention. To sustain the integrity of our government and ensure a peaceful atmosphere in Ile-Ogbo and adjoining villages, the Olu of Ileogbo should stop engaging in land transactions in whatever form within the Ayedire Local Government pending our investigation.
“We have set up committee to investigate and come up with report and recommendations. The warning should be respected. Anyone whose land has been taken unjustly or forcefully should not hesitate to get across through the Osun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.”