Land Dispute: RCCG Connived With Our King To Encroach On Our Land, Ede Muslim Community Raises Alarm

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

A community in Osun state, Ededimeji Muslim Community, Ede , has alleged that Redeemer’s University and the traditional monarch of the town are currently encroaching on their family land .

The aggrieved families called on President Muhammad Buhari, the Governor of the state, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola , the Osun House of Assembly, the Inspector of police, and traditional rulers in the state to intervene so as to avert what they said was capable of causing religious crisis in the sleepy community.

Speaking at a press conference jointly addressed by representatives of the 18 families, the spokesman of the community, Wasiu AbdulAzeez, cried out over alleged connivance by Redeemer’s University and Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa of Edeland, to steal 611 acres of land belonging to the community.

He warned against provoking religious crisis in the town.

He noted that the claim of the monarch that the native law and traditions of Edeland accorded him the right to revoke any land within the nooks and crannies of the town is untrue, saying that the monarch bought the land he built his personal house from Oshorun family.

He said, “Despite the incessant threats and intimidations from the hands of usurpers (RCCG), the owners of 611 acres of the lots (18 families) have remained persistently focused to pursue the case in the competent courts of jurisdictions.

“Since April 2012, the Redeemer’s University management have continued to unleash terror on the innocent occupiers of the land who stood their ground not to relinquish their land.

The community alleged that property worth over N500million have been destroyed on the land despite the litigation in courts.

“The horrible scene of mobilising over a hundred thugs and hoodlums with powerful arms and earth moving equipment (bulldozer) on Wednesday March 6, 2019 to raze down the entire Oloya village, destroying Mosque, homesteads and plantation with impunity was most unfortunate.

The community noted that intervention of the former Governor Rauf Aregbesola does not yield any result.

They however called for immediate return of the land to the ‘rightful owners’ and go for negotiation if they so desire.

“The destroyed property, homesteads and plantations are valued adequately and appropriate damages (N500 million) paid as demanded by our lawyer.

“The families who are the rightful owners of the usurped land by the RCCG would only be prepared to negotiate on lease conditions after adequate damages is claimed on the occupied area.