P.M.EXPRESS reports that the residents also refuted claims by some sponsored land grabbers that Policemen have taken over the community, saying that it is a plot by the land grabbers to discredit the Police.
Some of the residents, who spoke with newsmen, said that the presence of Policemen in the town has restored total peace following a judgement of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division earlier in the year.
A community leader and the head of the Adelupo family, Alhaji Muhammed Yaya Alayande, told newsmen that, “I want to thank the Inspector General of Police for directing the AIG in charge of Zone 2 to detail Policemen to our community”.
“Certainly, those who are against the presence of the Police are land grabbers. They (the land grabbers ) mobilized their thugs with guns and other weapons to attack the Policemen and shot two of them in the process.”
“It was the community that wrote to the IGP to give us Police protection from land grabbers. They have attacked and killed many of our family members in the past.”
Alhaji Alayande also stated that “The Police at different Commands had investigated the matter concerning our town. We have submitted out titles and judgement up to the Appeal Court. They have not been able to submit any paper”.
“They are just trying to create problems where there is none just to give the Police a bad name. An Ogun State High Court presided by Justice Agbelu in a matter with the Suit No HCT / 90/2011 between Alhaji Muhammed Yaya Alayande, Chief Akanbi Okejeje, Oba Ogundipe, Alhaji Tiamiyu Adeleye against Chief Taofik Ebelamu, Muniru Abass, Raimi Amore, Lukmon Amore, Apewo Lamidi and Owolabi Sule decided the case in our favour.”
He also added that “The Court of Appeal in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Yargata Byenchit Nimpar, Folasade Ayodeji Ojo and Abba Bello Muhammed in a matter with the Suit No CA / IB/329/2017 had earlier this year also decided the case in our favour”.
“They are claiming to have a judgement from a Customary Court and other places. They pleaded with all these acclaimed judgments before Justice Agbelu and he delivered the judgement against them.”
“In the judgment, Justice Agbelu noted that “The claimant tendered Exhibit A in this Court to show the land for which declaration is being sought. However, throughout the proceedings at the Customary Court, the defendant did not tender any plan. The law is trite that a previous judgement in respect of a piece of land, which is not tied to a plan cannot operate as an estoppel.”
The community leader also continued that “After losing at the High Court, they brought in thugs despite the fact that the judgment was against them and at the same time they appealed the case at the Appeal Court”.
The Justices at the Appeal Court held that “In this case, the respondents relied on evidence of traditional history. They pleaded and gave evidence tracing their root of title to Osanyinbi ,the son of Adetusi CW2 and CW3 gave evidence of traditional history”.
“The Appellants, as defendants, did not really challenge the traditional history given by the Respondents. All they said was that the same evidence was given by the respondents at the. Customary Court, which the Court rejected.”
The Court also ruled that “On the whole, I find that the appeal lacks merit. It failed and it is according dismissed. I hereby affirm the judgement of the High Court of Justice, Ogun State in Suit No HTC/ 90/2011 between Alhaji Muhammed Yaya Alayande and 3 others versus Chief Taofik Ebelamu and five others, delivered by the lower Court and affirmed by me”.
Another resident of the town, Ibrahim Olatunbosun, also commended the Police for restoring peace since the Community petitioned the Inspector General of Police.