A Senior Chief in Ibadan who doubles as the Chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Mogaji Dotun Sanusi alongside 22 Baales in Ona Ara Local Government area of Oyo State on Wednesday petitioned the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba over unlawful arrests, harassment, intimidation and threats to lives of the residents of Akanran in Ibadan by an alleged land grabber aided by officers from a Deputy Inspector General of Police, Abuja.
Also petitioned were the Chief Judge of Oyo State; Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone XI; Commissioner of Police, Oyo State; Director, DSS, Oyo State and the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the State.
Sanusi alongside other petitioners; Yekini Obisesan (Baale Akanran); Baale Jimoh Aderemi (Baale Bioku-Gbogun); Baale David Ibikunle (Baale Oke Ogun); Baale Moses Taiwo (Baale Ojoku); Baale Suara Ogunyemi (Baale Akita Araowu); Baale Alawaye Toheeb Oyebode (Baale Alawaye) and several others, described the ongoing several invitations being extended to residents in the area as provocative.
In the petition dated Wednesday April 19, 2023 and titled: Threat to Life, Unlawful arrest, intimidation and illegal acquisition of 95 acres of land at Akintola village, Akanran, Ona Ara Local Government of Oyo State,’was jointly signed by Sanusi and the Council of Baales, Ona Ara Local Government.
According to them, ‘after a crucial meeting we held in Akanran on Wednesday April 19, 2023, we write to inform your office about threat to life, unlawful arrest, intimidation, harassment, land grabbing, illegal acquisition of 95 acres of land at Akintola Village, Akanran.
‘The nefarious activities are being perpetrated by one Akinrogun of Ibeju-Lekki, Chief Jelili Jimoh Akande, the chief promoter of Paragon Estate, with active connivance of one of your officers in the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department Area 10, Abuja, simply identified as ASP Samson, with telephone number 08052531330.
‘We want to place it on record that the disputed land has been resolved by the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, in the suit with number: I/443/2014, which was delivered on Wednesday 19th Day of March 2020 by Justice G.A. Sunmonu, in favour of Alhaji Rasheed Eniayenfe Ojo, and Good Foundation Social Club, who were the defendants in the case.
‘The seven claimants in the case are Alhaji Moshood Gbolagade Obisesan, Mr. Babatunde Babajide, Latifu Ejibiyi Akintola, Isiaka Ejibiyi Akintola, Musa Ejibiyi Akintola, Bilikisu Sangodairo Akintola, and Afusat Sangodiran Akintola.
‘However, the claimants, with the assistance of Akinrogun of Ibeju Lekki Chief Jelili Jimoh Akande, in disregard to the judgment of the high court, mobilised his men and other land grabbers to the hitherto disputed land to dislodge the legal owners/occupants.
‘The claimants in the case did not appeal the judgment of the high court till date. The fact that they did not win in court and they did not want to go back to court because the evidence before the court will always vindicate the legal owners and occupants of the land, is something to look into seriously. Therefore, they have resorted to self-help, which necessitated this petition.
‘During the unlawful invasion, the occupants of the land were harassed, extorted, and dehumanised, while the Baale of Akanran Chief Yekini Obisesan, was forced to flee his domain. The occupants were alleged of threat to life and misdemeanours.
‘One of the victims of the nefarious activities of the land grabbers is Alhaju Sikiru Rasheed Eniayenfe. He was arrested at Akanran and was later moved to the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Area 10, Abuja, via the Divisional Police Headquarters, Orita-Challenge, Ibadan without recourse to the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan. The operation was led by ASP Samson.
‘One of the leaders of the communities, Engineer Dotun Sanusi, Chief Executive Officer, Ilaji Hotels and Sport Resorts, has also been put on arrest radar of the said police department, Area 10, Abuja, on April 27 2023 at 11:00a.m., over cooked threat to life, assault, criminal conspiracy, and trespass. He has been asked to report for interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Ciminal Intelligence and Investigation Unit (FCCIID) through the office of Deputy Commissioer of Police (Gender), Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Area 10, Abuja, DCP Oki Emesim Rita Oyintare.
‘It must be stated that Enginer Dotun Sanusi did not have land in the disputed land. In fact, he does not have anything to do with the land. Without an iota of doubt, Engineer Sanusi is an influential businessman and ASP Samson, who has been a terror to the people of Akanran, might have roped him into the mater with a view to ensuring that he does not intervene to reject injustice for us and our people.
‘With this development, especially the unlawful arrest, intimidation, and harassment, the Akinrogun of Ibeju Lekki is forcing the peace-loving people of Akanran to be leaving the community in droves. The land grabbers have also threatened that they would grab 250 acres of land for their Paragon Estate in Akanran.
‘To this end, the community through Alhaji Rasheed Eniayenfe Ojo has filed a case to the Land Grabbing Unit, Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law 2016, against the claimants at Oyo State High Court.
‘The Baales and Elders have been prevailing on our people not to take laws into their hands, hence the decision to notify your office about this ugly situation in our community for your prompt action.
‘Copies of the judgment on the land and other correspondences have been attached with this petition for your perusal. Also, the list, containing the names and signatures of Baales in attendance at the meeting, has been attached with this petition likewise.
‘We, therefore, appeal to you to use your good office to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book,’ they submitted.
