By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The Iposu Chieftaincy Family of Epe has urged the people of the area to maintain peace and be law abiding despite the recent court judgment ceding the land to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Alayeluwa Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
The Iposu Chieftaincy family also appealed to law enforcement agencies to ensure that peace prevails in the area so that the judgement, which is set for appeal is not used to forment trouble.
The head of the chieftaincy family, High Chief Wale Mogaji made the appeal following the recent court judgement delivered by Justice S. A. Olaitan of Epe High Court, which granted the ownership of large expanse of land at Akesan area of Epe, measuring 1168.141 (2886.543 acres), to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Alayeluwa Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Recall that Justice Olaitan had on September 29, 2023, while delivering judgement in the suit numbered EPD/131LMW/16, between OBA Alayeluwa Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the 5th Counter-claimant and Professor Sulaiman Owolabi Talabi and two other defendants to the counter-claim, held that he Akesan area of Epe measuring 1168.141 {2886.543 acres} shown in composite plan No: ASC/O50P/LA/2020, belongs to the 5th counter claimant.
However in a swift reaction to the judgement, High Chief Mogaji in a statement states: “On Friday, the 29th September, 2023, the High Court of Lagos State coram Hon. Justice S. A Olaitan delivered a final judgment in Suit No: EPD/131LMW/16 between OBA Alayeluwa Sikiru Kayode Adetona the 5th Counter claimant and Professor Sulaiman Owolabi Talabi & 2 ORS the defendants to the counter claim.
“The Court granted the declaration of title to the res, the subject matter of the suit at Akesan area of Epe measuring 1168.141 {2886.543 acres} shown in composite plan No: ASC/O50P/LA/2020 in favor of the 5th counter claimant.
“The defendants are not satisfied with the judgement of the court, particularly, on shifting burden of proof of Declaration of title to the land, on the defendants who have no claim before the court.
“Surprisingly Hon. Justice S.A Olaitan turned round in the same case and put what the court called “specific burden of proof of title to the land” on the defendants, who have no claim or reliefs before the court.
“The further implication of the judgment is that Awujale owns radical title or ownership of the entire lands in ijebu land including but not limited to Ikorodu, ljebu Igbo, Sagamu, ljebu Mushin and Ibeju. The Survey tendered in the case covered the entire ijebuland up to Ibeju.
“It will be interesting to know which Awujale established Ikorodu, ljebu-Igbo, Sagamu, ljebu-Mushin, Epe and Ibeju, and by what method{s} whether by conquest or first settlement because in the instant case the Awujale or any of his witnesses could not mention the name of Awujale who established Epe and how it devolved to the present Awujaie.
“The purpose of this public notice is to appeal to the youths of the Iposu Family and the entire Eko-Epe community not to resort to any violence or disturbance of the public peace in Epe.
“The appeal against the Judgement was filed on Tuesday the 2nd of October, 2023. The Appellate Court should be allowed to determine the case.
“The same thing applies to the various companies, associations and individuals that purchased land from Iposu family. We implore them to be patient with the law.
“This public notice also serves as notice to members of the public and also to warn members of the public from purchasing land from the judgement creditors on the basis of this judgement of the High Court. Such purchaser{s} buy({s} the land at his or their peril.
“Our title to the land has never been in doubt or questioned because there have been various judgements by the courts from High Courts to the Supreme Court 1927 to 1982 upholding the title of our family to the land including judgement against the predecessor in office of the present Oloja of Epe.
“This judgment by Hon. Justice S. A. Olaitan is a big embarrassment to our family and we are very hopeful to get a better result at the Court of Appeal.
“We appeal for peace in Lagos, Epe and appeal to the law enforcement agencies to maintain the peace so that the judgement, which is set for appeal should not be used to foment trouble in Epe.
“Some members of Iposu family have to relocate their children from Epe for fear of possible attack or elimination by the overzealous agents of Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe.
“They should allow the court of Appeal to determine the appeal against the judgement. We reiterate the need to fortify security around Eko Epe.”