The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, has threatened to report security operatives aiding land grabbers to their superiors, warning that those found supporting the illegal practice could be transferred out of the area.
The monarch also acknowledged that some traditional chiefs in his domain were allegedly involved in land grabbing, saying he was engaging those implicated privately.
Haastrup gave the warning on Saturday at his palace in Ilesa, Osun State, during the inauguration of a reconstituted Land Matters and Chieftaincy Affairs Committee, as he renewed his commitment to tackling unlawful land acquisition across the six local government areas in Ijesaland.
He warned against the use of traditional authority, family claims or community influence to intimidate landowners, extort property developers or obstruct legitimate development.
According to the monarch, anyone demanding unlawful payments, threatening residents or taking the law into their own hands must be reported to the appropriate authorities and dealt with in accordance with the law.
He, however, clarified that the directive was not intended to invalidate legitimate family, communal or customary land ownership rights, stressing that genuine claims must be established through recognised legal and administrative procedures.
The newly inaugurated eight-member committee is chaired by Pa Ebenezer Adefalu, with Professor Kola Kazeem as secretary. Other members are Oba Peter Adebamigbe, Reverend Abiodun Osungbohun, Isaac Orolugbagbe, Professor Olu Obi, Yemisi Ariyibi and Chief Daramola Daisi.
Justice Adedotun Onibokun was appointed honorary consultant to the committee, while a screening panel led by former Osun State Deputy Governor, Erelu Olusola Obada, assessed the integrity of the nominees before their appointment.
Haastrup charged the committee to handle land and chieftaincy disputes with fairness, integrity and impartiality, regardless of the social standing, political influence or traditional position of the parties involved.
He also urged traditional rulers, chiefs, families, landowners, developers, investors and other stakeholders to cooperate with the committee by providing relevant documents and information to facilitate the resolution of disputes.
The monarch cautioned residents against spreading unverified claims, issuing threats or taking unilateral actions capable of escalating land disputes, urging them to channel complaints through the appropriate authorities and courts.
Reaffirming the guiding principle of his reign, which he described as “Equality, Fairness and Justice to All,” Haastrup said no complainant should be denied a fair hearing or receive unfavourable treatment because another party wielded greater influence.
Responding on behalf of the committee, its chairman, Pa Adefalu, pledged that the members would discharge their responsibilities with integrity and a commitment to fairness.
