Residents of Olorunda in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have reopened a previously locked building ahead of the commissioning of their Grade II Customary Court, despite ongoing tensions over a land dispute with the neighboring Imala community.
The decision was reached at a community meeting held on Saturday, February 9, where members of the Olorunda Descendant Union (ODU) unanimously agreed to proceed with the court’s opening while awaiting the mediation efforts promised by the Abeokuta North Local Government following a recent peaceful protest.
The dispute, which has spanned several years, revolves around allegations that Imala leaders have persistently interfered in Olorunda’s affairs, particularly in land ownership and community development projects.
Residents claim that this interference has led to repeated disruptions of their initiatives, including the establishment of security posts, markets, and public infrastructure.
Tensions escalated when the Grade II Customary Court, scheduled for commissioning on February 12, 2025, by the President of the Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice A.O. Femi-Segun, was forcefully locked under circumstances linked to Hon. Ayoola Oluajo and individuals from Keesan village, a community aligned with Imala.
Speaking on the latest development, Engr. Oluwarotimi Olaegbe, Secretary of ODU, said reopening the locked building was a collective decision aimed at asserting their right to development and justice.
“This court is not just a building; it represents justice for our people. We will not allow external forces to keep frustrating our progress. We have waited patiently, and while we anticipate the local government’s mediation, we will continue to stand our ground,” he stated.
Residents have raised concerns over what they describe as repeated encroachments and deliberate efforts by Imala leaders to suppress their development.
They recalled previous instances where similar disruptions had occurred, citing the halted construction of a police post in 2013, the prevention of a Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) office in 2015, the interference with the reopening of the Olorunda market in 2017, and the disruption of a Civil Defence office in 2019.
Following the protest held earlier at the Abeokuta North Local Government Secretariat and Iwe Iroyin, the government assured the community that steps would be taken to resolve the matter.
Addressing the protesters, the Vice Chairman of the local government, Hon. Taiwo Egbeyemi, acknowledged their grievances and promised government intervention.
“We understand the seriousness of this matter, and I assure you that the local government will not fold its arms while conflicts like this persist. A stakeholder meeting is being arranged to address these concerns and ensure a peaceful resolution,” he said.
Despite these assurances, Olorunda residents remain firm in their demand for swift action. Many have warned that continued government inaction could escalate tensions between the two communities.
“We have tolerated this interference for too long. All we ask is to be left alone to develop our community in peace. We urge Governor Dapo Abiodun and other relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that Imala leaders respect our boundaries,” said a resident, Mr. Akinlade Alaba.
