Museyo Community Denies Baale Adeboyejo’s Links With Murder Of Late Baale Asalu Of Lotu Over Land Dispute

P.M.EXPRESS reports as was disclosed by the Museyo Community leaders represented by the six families out of the nine families that made up the community. They unanimously absolved Baale Adeboyejo of any involvement in the murder of late Chief Asalu on 15th July, 2023 and stated that some persons are deliberately publishing false information to tarnish Adeboyejo’s image.

The community leaders stated this on the heels of publication linking Baale Adeboyejo and other people in the community to the unfortunate death of late Asalu, which happened on 15th July, 2023, over land dispute between a Lebanese company, ATMAT Investment Nigeria Limited and Lotu family in the area.

This was contained in a petition dated on 28th July, 2023, by the Museyo community to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, making reference to the death of late Asalu and  the subsequent reprisal attack on Baale Omotola’s house and the burning of his car carried out by individuals affiliated with the Lotu family.

In the petition, they mentioned the head of the Lotu family, Pa Ebenezer Adenowo Otuniyi and one Chief Samad Mayowa Komolafe, with whom Adeboyejo contested Baaleship in Museyo community and lost as being behind the malicious and wicked information against Adeboyejo over the murder of  Chief Asalu in order to take over as the Baale of Mesoyo Community.

The petition stated: “The Museyo Community, as represented by  Otushemade, Sanni, Adebayo, Sunmonu, Lawal and Otugade families, stated that in 2008, a Lebanese company, ATMAT Investment Nigeria Limited, assisted the Museyo Community in securing village land excision from the Lagos State  Government and Museyo community gave them some parcels of land and they also bought some making it 12 acres of land from Museyo. In addition, the company purchased a documented parcel of land from the Lotu family with every necessary documentation obtained from Lagos State Land Bureau.”

“During this period, the Lotu family was under the leadership of the late Baale of Museyo, Chief Tasir Oyebade Otukomaya, who passed away in 2019.”

“The land remained undeveloped until 2022 when Chief Surfrain Omotola Adeboyejo assumed office, and the company decided to take physical possession of their land.”

“The new Baale, Adeboyejo, was informed of the construction plans, which led the Lotu family to mobilize people, causing disruption and disturbances to the workers on the site.”

“It was during this period that Fatai Asalu was appointed as Baale of Lotu by Pa Otunuyi amidst the ongoing land dispute and Asalu denied any knowledge of the land transaction involving his family and the 2008 village excision.”

“It is pertinent to note that Mr. Fatai Asalu was originally from Solu Alade, approximately six kilometers away from Museyo.”

“He later relocated to Lotu-Museyo, his great grandmother’s birth place, where he built his house on a piece of land before being appointed Baale of Lotu by Pa Otunuyi amidst the ongoing land dispute. As the crisis over the land persisted, multiple reports were made to various Police formations, with the latest incident being under investigation by Zone 2 Command.”

“The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Zone 2 personally intervened to restore peace in the community. Subsequently, a mutual agreement for compensation was reached between the company and the Lotu family, leading to the workers being directed to return to the site and resume their work.”

“Due to persistent threats and molestation by the Lotu family and other land speculators in the area, the company decided to employ the services of Policemen and local security to safeguard their workers from potential attacks.”

“On the fateful Saturday, July 15th, 2023, around 12:00 pm, the workers were preparing a large concrete mixture in anticipation of commencing their demarcation project when three buses carrying uniformed Policemen and armed thugs launched an unexpected attack. These individuals assaulted the local security guards with machetes and captured two workers, forcing them into the buses. During this crisis, the mobile Police officers assigned to protect the workers arrived at the scene and fired warning shots into the air, causing the two buses to hastily escape with the arrested workers, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Reliable sources later revealed that the Policemen brought to the site by Fatai Asalu were hired from the department of the Force CID, Alagbon Ikoyi Lagos.”

“Amidst this chaotic situation, Mr. Fatai Asalu, who was allegedly the instigator of the incident, got engaged in a confrontation with a Mobile Police Inspector, Dikko, who arrived at the scene with his rifle slung on his shoulder and the muzzle facing the sky. The victim resisted arrest and struggled to disarm the mobile Policeman. It resulted into an explosion from the rifle, tragically leading to a gunshot wound on the victim’s chin, ultimately causing his death.”

“After the Police from Akodo Police Station restored normalcy in the area, some individuals from the Lotu family proceeded to attack Baale Omotola’s house, which was approximately half a kilometer away and set his car ablaze.”

“The matter was later reported at Zone 2 Headquarters for investigation.

It is important to clarify that an hour after the crisis began, someone contacted Baale Omotola Adeboyejo, who promptly arrived at the site in order to restore peace.”

“However, given the highly charged situation, he was unable to prevent the unfortunate incident. It is essential to emphasize that the allegation that Baale Omotola caused the death of Mr. Asalu is baseless, as he was not involved in the land dispute, which pertained to the Lotu family of Museyo. Baale Omotola’s presence at the site was solely to ensure peace and protect the investors in the area.”

“Furthermore, he does not have a Police escort and lacks the authority to order a

Police officer to use force. Baale Omotola does not possess firearms, nor did he arrive at the site with anyone carrying dangerous weapons.”

“It is pertinent to state that the aftermath of the incident leading to the false publication is instigated by Mr. Samad Mayowa Komolafe, who is contesting the stool of Baaleship of Museyo with Omotola Adeboyejo at the Lagos State High Court, Epe, via suit number Epd2019/gmw/2020.”

“He is a prominent actor behind the agitation and the arson committed in Baale’s house. Additionally, Pa Ebenezer Adenowo Otunuyi, 93 years old head of the Lotu family of Museyo, has been disseminating false information to the public and has been a leading figure in the current land dispute. It is noteworthy that he and his two children are currently facing trial at Igbosere Magistrate Court for criminal charges relating to the illegal sale of part of Museyo community land, and the matter was investigated by Zone 2 Police Command. He is the instigator behind the crisis in the Museyo community. Restoring peace necessitates addressing his involvement.”

“Furthermore, it should be noted that the land dispute is solely between ATMAT INVEST. NIG. LTD. and the Lotu family and does not involve Museyo community nor any of the undersigned families.”

“The facts presented in this petition are aimed at assisting the Police in conducting a thorough, credible, and discreet investigation and not to shield anyone.”

“This petition is signed by representatives of six out of the nine family lineages making up the Museyo community” they concluded.