Four prominent families in Odofin Oke-Rala Village, Makun, Sagamu, have appealed to the Ogun State Government to intervene in a growing land dispute they allege is being fueled by the Baale of the community, Mr. Nasiru Adekunle Sodeinde.
Speaking on behalf of the Sodeinde, Oguntade, Adegbuyi, and Onawoga families, Prince David Kolawole Adeleke Oguntade accused the Baale—who is also a member of the extended family—of abusing his traditional authority to take unilateral control of a 300-acre farmland belonging to the wider lineage.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Prince Oguntade said the Baale allegedly deployed land grabbers to the entrance of the farmland without the knowledge or consent of family members. Their presence, he added, prevented rightful owners from accessing the land for routine farming activities.
The families subsequently lodged a complaint before HRH Oba Timothy Oyeola Akinsanya (Orungba II), Ewusi of Makun Kingdom, who reportedly ordered the Baale to withdraw the individuals described as “self-acclaimed security operatives.” Despite the directives, Prince Oguntade alleged that portions of the farmland had already been sold to unknown buyers who have since fenced off about 20 acres, claiming lawful ownership.
Supporting the allegation, Mr. Sokoya Hassan Taiwo of the Adegbuyi family recounted how he was allegedly coerced into signing documents he did not understand. According to him, the Baale invited him under the guise of meeting the family lawyer, but instead took him to an unfamiliar office belonging to individuals identified as Mogaji and Alowonle. There, he said, he was surrounded by armed men and forced to sign documents purportedly on behalf of his family.
Sokoya said all attempts to obtain copies of the documents—claimed by the Baale to be related to a “loan transaction”—have been unsuccessful. The families later discovered that parts of the land had been fenced by individuals claiming to be legitimate purchasers.
The four families are calling on the Ogun State Government to launch a thorough investigation, protect them from alleged intimidation, and compel those involved—including Mogaji and Alowonle—to explain how they obtained access to and control over parts of the disputed farmland.
Efforts to reach the Ewusi of Makun Kingdom for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to text messages sent to him by our correspondent as at press time.
