Deji Of Akure’s Palace Clears Air Over Rumour Of Farmland Destruction …….. Calls For Caution On The Part Of The People Of Aponmu, Olokuta Communities

By Gabriel Olawale

The Palace of the Deji and the Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, CFR, has cleared the air on the rumour of some farmland destructions at Aponmu and Olokuta Communities in Akure and calls for caution on the part of the people of the two Communities for peace to reign. 

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The Deji’s Palace in a press release signed and issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Prince Adeyeye Michael and sent to the Treasure Newspaper called on the people of Akure Kingdom and the public in general to ignore the rumours being peddled around by some fifth columnists in respect of an alleged destruction of farmlands in Olokuta and Aponmu Communities of Akure, the Ondo State Capital.

Adeyeye in his release said, that, the Palace would have refrain itself from dignifying such tissues of lies with a response but save for the sake of the unsuspecting public who may want to be swindled by conjectures of those who want to create a pseudo crisis in the Akure communities. 

According to Prince Adeyeye, he said, “for the avoidance of doubt, the Aponmu and Olokuta Community is an integral part of the Akure Kingdom and it belongs to the Akure People against the erroneous impression that it belongs to Idanre people”.

Explaining further, Adeyeye stated that, “for the sake of clarity, the High Court of the Warri Judicial Division in its judgment of 30th June, 1943 in a suit No W/40/1939 held that the land of Aponmu belongs to Akure”.

Continuing, Adeyeye said, “it is on record that the Idanre people challenged the judgment up to the Supreme Court of the Benin Judicial Division in a suit No B/36/1948”.

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He went on to describe the judgment delivered on 18th May, 1950; where, the court listed, Olokuta, Aponmu, Owena amongst other camps and villages that belongs to the Akure People.

He revealed further, that, both “the communities of Olokuta and Aponmu has Community Head overseeing the affairs of the Community and to also ensure the growth of the Community. The land being claimed by the Idanre people belongs to Olukuta and Aponmu Community. They have the exclusive right to administer the area on behalf of the Deji who appointed them as the Olu in charge of the area”.

Reacting to the issues, the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, CFR and the Olu of Olokuta, Chief Olatubosun Miller pointed out that, both of the duo were never involved in any rift on the farm land as being alleged by some disgruntled elements who are hell bent on creating artificial crisis by peddling unfounded allegations which are full of lies and deceit.

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Deji however maintained that, “the portion of land which is being cleared is for community development and there are evidences that compensations have being duly paid to those who genuinely and legally have crops on the land. It is therefore laughable that anyone will rise to claim the said the land which traditionally, originally and legally belongs to the Akure People under the supervision of the Olu of Olokuta and Olu of Aponmu accordingly”. 

Speaking further, The Deji of Akure affirmed that the fact has remained that, the Heads of these communities have acted in the best interest of their communities and the development of the town. 

“For the avoidance of doubt, the official position of the Ondo State Government through the office of the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in its report dated 4/12/2017 gave the official position of the Government and declared that the Olokuta and Aponmu Communities belongs to Akure”. 

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Also, Prince Adeyeye in his press release advised the residents of Akure to have a critical look at the report of the Ministry signed by Prince Solagbade Amodeni, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Director, Department of Master Plan of the Ministry; where the Ministry held that “in a country where we are talking about the rule of law, it is quite regrettable that anybody or institution or community will contemplate acting against or violating the clear terms of judgment of the Supreme Court which is the highest court of law in Nigeria. I cannot be part of such illegality”.

Adeyeye also used the opportunity to without mincing words, challenged anyone with genuine facts over the ownership of the land to approach the court rather than resolve to self-help.

Prince Adeyeye therefore reiterated the commitment of the Deji of Akure Kingdom and Chief Olatubosun Miller to ensure a lasting peace and the development of the Olokuta and Aponmu Community thereby preventing anyone to truncate it.

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