GROUP PETITIONS IGP OVER THREATS BY LAND GRABBERS, DISOBEDIENCE TO COURT RULING

Non governmental groups under the auspices of Osun Must Grow Assembly (OMGA) in Conjunction with Osun Progressive Liberation Minders (OPLM) have petitioned the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun on the alleged activities of land grabbers that have constituted a threat to not only the original land owners (Late Prince Ajibola Babarinde lineage of Gbaemu Compound, Osogbo) but also to the rule of law in the country.

The groups in a Save-Our-Soul letter to the IGP dated 14th November 2024, appealed to the police boss to “immediately arrest LSTC Boss, Osun state Commissioner for Land Hon George Alabi and and Speaker, Osun state House of Assembly Hon Adewale Egbedun for allegedly disregarding Court judgment and attack on court Bailiff.

The petition made available to press men by the Conveners of the group Comrade Adewumi Philip Obenbe and Bashorun Adekanola Desmond Abiodun alleged that some land grabbers who were being assisted by Political Office Holders have been harassing members of Late Prince Ajibola Babarinde lineage of Gbaemu Compound, Osogbo and encroaching on their land lying and situate along Oke Arungbo, Awosuru Area Osogbo measuring 23.823hectres despite different court order and rulings.

The groups in the petition signed by its Conveners Comrade Adewumi Michael Obenbe and Bashorun Adekanola Desmond Abiodun claimed that “LSTC Management was engaged as an agent by some people at the corridor of power and these people are not in any form involved in the previous settled case by the court of competent jurisdiction."

The groups in the letter to the IGP also stated: “Prince Olalekan Salami For Late Prince Ajibola Babarinde lineage of Gbaemu Compound, Osogbo adjudged as owners of the land on 23rd September, 2020 by Chief Magistrate Court of Osun state. The case number was Mos/M.106/2020. In his ruling His Worship Dr. O.A Ayilara, CM II. In the ruling sir, His Worship stated as follows; "The law establishing this court provides that I have a duty to maintain law and order within my jurisdiction in order to prevent breakdown of law and order. Having gone through the application before me, and if only pending the time the appropriate court will be approached for resolution of ownership of the area in question, I am of the firm view that the applicant is entitled to some of the relief sought, if not all.

The above opinion is formed as a result of my analysis of the affidavit in support of the motion on notice.

In fact I do not see why anybody should be afraid of being bound over to maintain peace if actually the person is a law abiding individual." 

*Copy of the ruling attached* 

The groups further revealed that On 23rd September,2020 bound was signed between the applicant Prince Olalekan Salami and the Respondents namely (i) Mr Segun Omisore (ii) ESV Olaniran K.O and (iii) Mr Tayo Hassan. These listed names are staff of the Ministry of land and physical planning Osun state.

*Copy of the bound attached sir.*

However, on 2nd of June, 2022 an order of interlocutory injunction was granted by His Lordship, Hon. Justice A.O Oyebiyi of Osun state High Court in a case with suit number HOS/92/2021. The court "restraining the Defendants/Respondents i.e (The Executive Governor, Osun state, Attorney General of Osun state and Commissioner for Land and physical planning) their servants, agents, privies and anybody claiming through them from Building, Constructing or Erecting any structure or foundation on or any part of the land in dispute being at Gbaemu family land along Oke -Arungbo, Awosuru Area, Osogbo, Osun state measuring approximately 23.823 hectares." The petition reads.

*Copy of the ruling attached*

It further stated that: "Needless to say that there is no pending appeal in law and the judgment in favour of Prince Olalekan Salami For Late Prince Ajibola Babarinde lineage of Gbaemu Compound, Osogbo subsists since there is no order of court staying the execution. A Writ of Possession was issued in respect of the land but Hon. Adewale Egbedun alongside one Mr Jimi Oyinlola prevented the court Bailiff from performing his duty and the Bailiff was mercilessly harassed."

The groups also noted that "with the existing court order and rulings, Osun state government who employed LSTC management management has no lawful right to enter the land anymore, whatever professed title and or interest that LSTC management may have has become extinguished and their right to lawfully enter or remain on the land becomes determined.”

The groups alleged that the Osun state government and his agents have refused to obey the judgment of the court or vacate the land but has continued to encroach on the land. This is total disrespect to court Judgment and impugn the integrity of the court by the continued harassment Judgment creditors.

Regrettably, it is only in this part of the world that a man will feel superior to law and walking freely without law taking it cause. Some will even employ the services of the Police to take possession of the land against the Court of competent jurisdiction. 

The groups maintained that the conduct of the Osun state government so far is sending negative signal that ventilating grievances in Court is a wasteful exercise of time, cost and energy as the government itself is ready to do everything possible to undermine the resultant judgment at the behest of anyone who is willing to take advantage of the black sheep in force as exemplified by the present conduct of LSTC management.

“This no doubt this is a clear invitation to anarchy and we can as well all say goodbye to law and order. It is for this reason that we make this singular demand, immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of Osun state House of Assembly Speaker who chased court Bailiff away from the land and his cohorts."

Signed:

Comrade Adewumi Philip Obenbe 

For 

Osun Progressive Liberation Minders (OPLM) 

Bashorun Adekanola Desmond Abiodun 

For 

Osun Must Grow Assembly (OMGA)