The Oyetunde family, a prominent Ibadan royal lineage, has cried out over an alleged plot by land grabbers to forcefully take over their ancestral land at Ayegun Olomi Olojuoro Village in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Baale Jelili Oyetunde accused the invaders of being backed by High Chief Amidu Ajibade and an official of the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbing Agency, Busari Isa, whom he alleged are aiding those determined to trample on the family’s rights.
According to Baale Oyetunde, the alleged collaborators include Baale Alimi Yusuf Lafiku, Saheed Olawoyin Omo Egun, Morufu Okeseyin, and Baale Olonde Ige, who have been making relentless attempts to take over the family land.
He revealed that Baale Lafiku, who once served as a witness to the family’s land sale agreements, has now turned against them and is laying claim to the same land.
Lamenting the continued encroachment, Baale Oyetunde noted that the family has valid court judgments dating back to 1910, 1922, and 1938, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 1939, all affirming their ownership.
“Despite these court rulings, they keep invading our land, destroying properties, and even injuring our people while a new case filed in 2022 is still pending in court. It’s a clear case of impunity, and we won’t stand for it,” he said.
The family has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene and ensure justice is done, while also calling on the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to caution High Chief Ajibade.
“We want peace, but we won’t fold our arms while our heritage is being taken over. We’ll fight tooth and nail to defend our ancestral land,” Baale Oyetunde warned.
The Oyetunde family, which has produced two past Olubadans — Olubadan Petuoshin Oyetunde I and Olubadan Shittu Akintola Oyetunde II — reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its ancestral heritage from illegal encroachment.
