News

Ife Indigenes kick Over Forceful Takeover Of Land

Published

8 years ago

May 22, 2017

By Faith Okerinmodun, Ile-Ife

Some indigenes of Ile Ife in Osun have called on the Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to intervene over the forceful takeover of their respective lands by encroachers.

CityMirrorNews reports that both old and young members of the ancient town took to the streets heading towards the Ooni palace to show their anguish.

Mr Kasali Adeoye, one of the protesters who spoke to CityMirrorNews correspondent, said some high Chiefs conspired with the encroachers from neighbouring villages to collect huge sum of money in order to claim ownership.

Adeoye said ,the land was given to them by the chiefs to cater for their needs and also paid N36,000 each as the catering fees to them.

He said, the chiefs had prevented them from gaining entrance into the palace to see the Oba as they are bent on covering up their misdeeds.

“For over six months we have been coming to see the Ooni but the same chiefs would always deny us entry into the palace”, Adeoye said.

According to him, life had become difficult for most of the land owners due to the development that has hindered them to do their lawful business on their lands.

The Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Olaniyi, who addressed the protesters at the front of the Ooni’s palace promised to convey their grievances to the Ooni.

Olaniyi, urged the indigenes to maintain calm and assured them that the issue would be looked into with utmost sincerity.

CityMirrorNews reports that 10 members from the protesters were selected to channel their anguish to the Obalufe.

All efforts to get reactions from the Ooni’s palace proved abortive as the Media and Publicity Director, Comrade Moses Olafare did not pick his call.