Ajana Family Counters Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti’s Claims Over Disputed Land, Questions Legality of Transfer

 

Ajana Family Counters Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti’s Claims Over Disputed Land, Questions Legality of Transfer

The Ajana Family of Ikere-Ekiti has issued a strong rebuttal to recent published statements by the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, insisting that the monarch acted without consultation, legal authority, or consent in the ongoing land dispute between them and the Ajiboye Family.

In a press statement responding to the monarch’s remarks in a prior publication, the family denied allegations of destroying property or assaulting surveyors, stating that their only action was to peacefully protest against what they described as an “unauthorised and coercive” attempt to survey and allocate their land to “faceless investors” for a proposed private university.

“The surveyors that came are government surveyors, working with the Ekiti State Surveyor-General. Therefore, nobody assaulted them and no equipment was destroyed. If such had happened, they could have reported to the police, being that they were acting in their official capacity. Till today, there is no report at any police station or anywhere else about the said attack.

"Rather, these people have gone to start pegging, putting pillars on our land, thereby encroaching without our consent. So if any of them had been attacked, the matter would have been reported to the police,” the family said.

"The Kabiyesi never invited the Ajana Family to any meeting to discuss his intentions. He simply imposed his decision, despite knowing that the land in question is already under legal dispute,” the statement continued.

The family further questioned the monarch why legitimate owners of the land were not part of formal negotiations.

“The point of emphasis is that we were not carried along. Specifically, senior principal members of the Ajana Family who are on talking terms with the monarch sent him messages that if they wanted to use our land, they should formalise it and make a request but this was completely ignored.

"They went to the land without our consent. If we had been carried along, we would have also known the investor. All members of the Ajana Family are not in support, as the monarch is just being coercive.

"All the resolutions at the palace were in favour of the Ajana Family. It was the Kabiyesi who approached us to take the matter away from the court, so there is nothing like defamation. We are talking about land matters running into hundreds of acres.

"The Chief from the Ajana Family who was suspended by the monarch was punished because he opposed the move," the statement read.

Olajide Ajana, representing the family said "all statements are on behalf of the entire family, as i have been authorised to represent them fully. The family gave me a power of attorney signed by all members, including the chief, to pursue this matter to a logical conclusion.

Citing the legal maxim "nemo dat quod non habet" (“you cannot give what you do not have”), the Ajana Family argued that the Ogoga lacked the legal power to hand over their property without consent, especially for a commercial venture.

“A private university is a profit-making investment, not a philanthropic project. The Kabiyesi has no right under the law to dispose of our ancestral land in such a manner,” they insisted.

Livelihoods at Stake

The Ajana Family stressed that the disputed land forms part of their economic survival, with members engaged in farming for generations and cultivating economic crops such as palm trees and timber.

They expressed concern that the forced loss of the land would threaten their livelihoods in a state where agriculture is a primary source of income.

“Ekiti is known for its agricultural ventures. Stripping us of our farmland without proper negotiation or compensation will destroy our means of sustenance,” the statement continued.

Background

The dispute dates back years and has been subject to court rulings, with the High Court in Ikere-Ekiti reportedly determining ownership between the Ajana and Ajiboye families. Despite this, tensions escalated after the Ogoga allegedly announced that the land would be allocated to investors for the proposed educational project.

In his earlier defence, Oba Adu-Alagbado said the initiative was in the town’s interest and that multiple families had been asked to contribute land for the development. He denied personal interest in the project and described the family’s accusations as defamatory.

However, the Ajana Family maintains that their opposition is lawful and rooted in the need to protect their property rights from what they call “instruments of coercion and intimidation.”

They have vowed to defend their position in court and urged the state government and relevant authorities to intervene to ensure justice.