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From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has suspending a traditional chieftaincy title holder, the Mogaji Akinsola family at Labiran, Ibadan, Chief Olawale Oladoja, following a land dispute in Akinyele Local Government area of Oyo State.
The suspension followed the displacement of residents of Alaja Phase One, Alaja Phase Two, Isagunna and Aponmode areas of Moniya in Ibadan, on Wednesday by Oladoja, who reportedly sealed about 200 houses in the communities on the ground that his family acted on a court judgement it got in 2021, which affirmed Akinsola as the real owner of the land and should take back their land.
The houses were put under lock and key, leading some of the residents to sleep in the open throughout the night following which they protested to the Olubadan Palace on Thursday.
Oladoja had said on Thursday that before Wednesday’s sealing, he had held a series of peaceful meetings with the residents of the four communities.
“My family acted according to the law of the land because we have had four to five judgements in respect to the land. We had held a peaceful meeting with the residents of the community several times, even our respected Imperial Majesty Olubadan scheduled a meeting for the resolution of the same matter.”
An emergency meeting was held in Ibadan on Friday on the matter, which had in attendance the Olubadan, some of the members of his Advisory Council, the representatives of Ibadan Mogajis, led by Chief Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori, the suspended Mogaji Akinsola himself, and the representatives of the residents of the affected communities.
Briefing the press after the meeting, the Personal Assistant (Media) to Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, disclosed that three communities, Akinsola, Aponmode and Labinkulu were actually affected by the action.
In his presentation, the suspended Mogaji Akinsola told the monarch and his members of Advisory Council that he made several attempts to resolve the matter before he decided to take action.
The Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Biodun Kola-Daisi who read the riot act on behalf of the Olubadan Advisory Council said Mogaji Akinsola didn’t follow the code of conduct usually handed down to both Mogajis and Baales when being appointed.
“The case was already in the palace, but you did not inform the palace before the police was invited. Your action embarrassed the Olubadan stool and Ibadanland. You crossed the line and the Council has decided that you be suspended as Mogaji. You are ordered to tender public apology to the people inconvenienced.
“You defied Olubadan, took laws into your hands by going ahead to take such drastic decision. This will serve as deterrents to others who fail to appreciate and recognize the responsibility their position as either Baale or Mogaji entails. Your suspension will last for as long as it takes to resolve the problem you have created,” Ashipa Olubadan added.
