A traditional ruler in Ogun State, Oba Adeyemo Adekeye, was on Tuesday, docked at the High Court sitting in Abeokuta, over alleged acquisition of land.
Oba Adekeye is the Abepa of Joga Orile in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The Oniyide’s family of Abeokuta North Area of the state had, on November 19, 2012, instituted a suit No AB/187/08 before the court, accusing the traditional ruler of alleged illegal acquisition of 500 hectares of land located at Isaga Orile belonging to it.
Counsel for the family, Mr. Ayotunde Faniyi, told the court that the traditional ruler encroached on the family land, adding that the family, who he said was the original owner, had been using it for farming and other purposes before the alleged incursion by the traditional ruler.
Faniyi told the court that the traditional ruler, without any recourse to the family, had erected hospital, market stalls and other structures on the land in dispute.
But, the traditional ruler, while testifying before the court, said the disputed land was bought in 1999 from the Opebiyi and Moronfolu families through one Chief Adetayo.
He informed the court that he had built hospitals, market stalls, among others on the disputed land, to develop the community.
“I decided to build a police post on the land, because some armed robbers came all the way from Lagos and dropped six corpses and a damaged vehicle.
“I called the police in Lafenwa and Ayetoro and they both said the area was not within their respective jurisdictions,” he claimed.
The presiding judge, Mrs Olatokunbo Majekodunmi, after listening to both arguments, adjourned hearing till May 21.
