The Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasak Adesina Adenugba, has issued a firm rebuttal against accusations of land grabbing, intimidation, and destruction of farmlands. The monarch, responding to petitions from some groups within the Olabisi Onabanjo University host community, labeled the allegations as false, misleading, and driven by ulterior motives.
Monarch Insists on Due Process in Land Matters
In a statement made on 27 December 2025, Oba Adenugba categorically stated that he has never forcefully seized land belonging to any individual or community in Ago-Iwoye. He emphasized that all lands in the town have known owners and that he strictly follows due process in any transaction.
"I don't collect land for free," the traditional ruler declared. "Every land in Ago-Iwoye has an owner. If I want land, I pay for it. I don't take advantage of my position as a traditional ruler to take what does not belong to me."
He pointed out that many of the circulating claims are already subjects of ongoing court cases. Oba Adenugba expressed confidence that the judicial process would reveal the truth, advising aggrieved parties to seek legal redress instead of media campaigns. "If anyone believes I have wronged them, the court is there," he said. "That is the right place to resolve land disputes, not the media."
Addressing Specific Allegations on Ancestral Lands
The monarch provided detailed explanations for specific areas under contention. Regarding the Awori and Oke Erigba lands, he described the area as part of his ancestral heritage, inherited from his grandfather and linked to his father's village.
He explained that the village had become nearly abandoned and unproductive after the passing of elders. His decision to revive it was part of a plan to promote agriculture. "When I looked at what to do, I decided to revive the village through agriculture," Oba Adenugba stated. He mentioned involving his agriculturally-inclined child and even bringing farmers from Cotonou, Republic of Benin, to cultivate the land, including personal investment in cocoa plantations.
Concerning claims of destroyed crops worth tens of millions of naira at Ayere, the monarch dismissed the figures as exaggerated. He asserted that the land in question does not belong to Ago-Iwoye and was never owned by the current claimants. He traced its origins to a founder from Anikilaya in Ijebu-Ode, noting that the absence of formal written documents for temporary farming allocations is central to the dispute.
"Farming on land does not automatically translate to ownership, especially when there is no agreement or title," he argued. The Ebumawe claimed to have video evidence showing the land's condition before clearing, insisting there were no cash crops or permanent plantations present.
Rejection of Exaggerated Claims and Call for Evidence
Oba Adenugba also rejected allegations that hundreds of acres were bulldozed at Aba Paanu, describing such figures as grossly exaggerated. "There is no land in Aba Paanu that is up to 600 acres. That figure is simply not correct," he said.
He referenced a comprehensive survey conducted in 1980 by a predecessor, which delineated Ebumawe lands along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road through the Awori community, an area he stated does not include Aba Paanu.
The monarch vehemently denied using thugs, cultists, or security agencies to harass community members. "I challenge anyone making such claims to produce evidence," he said, noting that police investigations following reports had not found him culpable.
Oba Adenugba revealed he is considering legal action against those he believes have damaged his reputation with false allegations. He reaffirmed his commitment to the peace and development of Ago-Iwoye, viewing the disputes as distractions. "My duty is to develop Ago-Iwoye, not to oppress anyone," he concluded, expressing belief that the truth would prevail through lawful means.
