…Oba Ijelu condemns impostors parading as traditional leaders
…Says activities threaten peace, development and communal coexistence
…Calls on Lagos government, police to enforce Obas and Chiefs Law
The Olota of Otta-Ikosi Ejinrin, Oba Elias Adedapo Ijelu, has raised the alarm over the growing activities of illegal traditional chiefs operating in the community without the consent of the recognised monarch or approval under Lagos State laws.
Oba Ijelu, who spoke in Otta-Ikosi Ejinrin, located in Ikosi/Ejinrin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), described the development as barbaric and a direct affront to the traditional institution and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.
The monarch lamented that the activities of the impostors, who allegedly parade themselves as chiefs, have over the years undermined peace, progress and harmonious coexistence in the town.
According to him, many of the self-acclaimed chiefs have been linked to nefarious activities, including land grabbing and the disruption of communal order.
“These unscrupulous acts have continued to affect the development of our town and threaten the peace of our people,” the monarch said.
Oba Ijelu explained that he had on several occasions cautioned the individuals involved to desist from actions capable of throwing the community into chaos, but the warnings were often ignored.
“They behave as if they are untouchable, and this is dangerous for the stability of our town,” he added.
The traditional ruler further alleged that some of the illegal chiefs were aiding land grabbers by standing as sureties and providing backing for perpetrators of unlawful land transactions.
He described it as absurd that those promoting disorder were the same people dragging the community backward through their actions.
Oba Ijelu stressed that such practices constitute a violation of the Lagos State anti-land grabbing law, which was established to curb the menace across the state.
He also disclosed that he had written several petitions to the Lagos State Government and police authorities, but lamented that no tangible action had been taken so far.
“Most of these illegal chiefs have nothing meaningful doing. Instead, they have turned themselves into agents of nuisance, signing documents and standing surety for land grabbers,” the monarch said.
The monarch noted that the Lagos State Council of Obas had previously intervened, directing one of the individuals involved to return to the recognised traditional ruler and follow due process if he truly desired to assume any traditional title.
Oba Ijelu maintained that the persistence of the illegality was partly due to the vacuum created during the interregnum period before his ascension to the throne.
He explained that the absence of a substantive monarch at the time gave mischiefmakers undue opportunity to perpetrate illegal activities.
The monarch called on the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to urgently step in to restore the rule of law and protect lives and property in the area.
He urged authorities to clamp down on impostors undermining traditional institutions and fueling insecurity through land grabbing and other unlawful acts.
“Our people deserve peace, safety and development, and the government must act swiftly to stop these illegalities,” Oba Ijelu said.
