Osun Monarch Suspends Chief Over Alleged Land Grabbing
- We’re Not Involved In Land Grabbing Activities – Suspended Chief’s Family
- Fingers Adeleke’s Adviser in Alleged Land Dispute
The Timi of Ede in Osun State, Oba Munirudeen Lawal has suspended the Loogun of Ede, Chief Jimoh Kabir, from office indefinitely over alleged land grabbing.
According to a statement made available to newsmen by the Timi’s palace on Monday, Chief Kabir was alleged to have disregarded the authority of Oba Lawal and engaged in land grabbing.
The statement noted that the decision to suspend Chief Kabir was taken by the Timi-in-Council, the highest traditional decision-making body in the town, following a series of complaints against the now-suspended chief.
“The Timi-in-Council, the highest traditional body in Edeland, has suspended Chief Jimoh Kabir as the Loogun of Edeland.
“The decision to suspend the Loogun followed a series of allegations of land grabbing, flagrant disrespect for law and order, as well as disrespect for the stool of Timi Agbale Olofa Ina of Edeland.
“The Timi-in-Council said it is unbecoming of a subject of His Majesty, the Timi of Edeland, to be engaged in illegal land grabbing unrepentantly, as several attempts to check him have proven unproductive,” the statement read.
The Council further stated that its action became necessary to restore sanity, insisting that the suspension remain in effect until further notice.
The Council also warned other chiefs against using their positions to exploit other subjects in the town, noting that no effort would be spared in restoring sanctity to the traditional institution in Ede.
“The Timi-in-Council emphasised its resolve to uphold the sanctity of the traditional institution in Edeland.
“The Council equally warns all other chiefs in Edeland not to allow the euphoria and privileges of their offices to lead to misconduct or the oppression of subjects,” it further stated.
Reacting to the development, the Gbebi Loogun of Loogun family, which produced the suspended Loogun of Ede denied partaking in any land grabbing activity.
In a statement jointly signed by Alhaji Aminu Yusuff, Mogaji of Gbebi Loogun family of Ede and Chief Jimoh Amobi, Baba Loogun of Loogun land, Ede, the family said the matter in question involves a land belonging to the family which was allegedly sold illegally by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Adam Akindele.
The statement called on Governor Adeleke to rein in on Akindele whose involvement in the matter is threatening the peace between the family and the palace.
It said, “We wish to state that the Loogun of loogun land Ede has not in anyway involved himself in any land grabbing at any point in time.
“The matter involves a piece of land being used as farm by General Alani Akinrinade and it undoubtedly belongs to Gbebi loogun Family. We got to know that a Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke has sold about 200 acres of the sailed land to some people without the knowledge of either Loogun or anyone in the family. This prompted us to challenge those claiming ownership and respectfully told them that the land belongs to our family.
“We’re therefore surprised how the issue of land grabbing came into this matter. Maybe the Governor’s aide is using his connection to rope the Loogun.
“More so, we want to state that proceeds of land sold by our family are also remitted to the Palace of Timi and evidence is available.
“We call on Governor Ademola Adeleke to rein in on his Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, Adam Akindele, whose involvement in this matter is the biggest threat our peaceful co-existence between our family and the Palace.
“The family stands with our son and brother, the Loogun of loogun land Ede and we will continue to hold in highest esteem, the stool of Timi Agbale Olofa Ina and the current occupant of the stool, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal Laminisa 1,” the statement noted.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
