Osun Monarch Warns Chiefs, Security Agents Against Land Grabbing

The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, has warned traditional chiefs and security operatives against conniving with land grabbers in the six local government areas that make up Ijesaland, Osun State.

The monarch issued the warning on Saturday during the inauguration of a reconstituted Land Matters and Chieftaincy Affairs Committee at his palace in Ilesa, reiterating his determination to end the activities of land grabbers in the area.

Oba Haastrup acknowledged that some chiefs in his domain were allegedly involved in land grabbing, adding that he was engaging those implicated privately.

“Some of the chiefs I inherited are involved and I am engaging them in private. I am also going to play a role. Any security agent that supports land grabbing, I will report him to higher authorities. Such an operative should be transferred out of Ijesaland,” the monarch said.

He charged the newly inaugurated committee to discharge its responsibilities with fairness, integrity and impartiality, warning that individuals exploiting land ownership claims or traditional authority to intimidate property owners would not be tolerated.

The eight-member committee is chaired by Pa Ebenezer Adefalu, while Professor Kola Kazeem will serve as secretary. Other members are Oba Peter Adebamigbe, Reverend Abiodun Osungbohun, Isaac Orolugbagbe, Professor Olu Obi, Yemisi Ariyibi and Chief Daramola Daisi.

Justice Adedotun Onibokun was appointed honorary consultant to the committee.

The monarch disclosed that a screening committee led by former Osun State Deputy Governor, Erelu Olusola Obada, had assessed the integrity of the nominees before their appointment.

He stressed that the committee must ensure that disputes are handled according to the law, regardless of the social status, influence or traditional position of those involved.

“Anyone who demands unlawful payments, threatens people, obstructs legitimate development or takes the law into their own hands must be reported to the appropriate authorities and dealt with according to the law. No custom, title, family claim or personal influence can be a licence for oppression,” he said.

Oba Haastrup, however, clarified that his directive was not intended to undermine legitimate family, communal or customary land ownership rights.

He explained that genuine land claims must be established through recognised legal and administrative procedures, warning against the use of force, intimidation, extortion or self-help to resolve disputes.

The monarch urged traditional rulers, chiefs, families, landowners, property developers, investors and other stakeholders to cooperate with the committee by providing relevant information and documentary evidence to facilitate the fair resolution of land-related cases.

He also advised residents against spreading unverified information, issuing threats or taking unilateral actions capable of escalating disputes, urging them to refer matters within the jurisdiction of statutory authorities or the courts to the appropriate institutions.

Charging the committee members to uphold the guiding principle of his reign, which he described as “Equality, Fairness and Justice to All,” the monarch said no individual should receive preferential treatment in the handling of complaints.

He maintained that every complainant must be given a fair hearing and that the committee’s decisions should be guided by justice rather than personal relationships or external pressure.

Responding on behalf of the members, the committee chairman, Pa Adefalu, pledged that the committee would carry out its assignment with integrity and a commitment to fairness.