A protracted land dispute in Imo Emulu community of Ogun State has deepened, with traditional leaders and residents throwing their weight behind a businessman, Mr. Johnson, amid allegations of forgery, double sale of land and political interference.
Findings by Medalinks Media Africa indicate that the dispute centres on competing claims of ownership over large parcels of land, with both the businessman and community stakeholders insisting that due process was followed in the initial transactions.
At the heart of the controversy is the endorsement of Johnson by key traditional authorities, including the Baale of Imo Emulu, Chief Mujaidu Balogun, who maintained that the businessman remains the legitimate owner of the land in question. Balogun said Johnson complied with established procedures by purchasing land directly from recognised landowners, stressing that the Baale does not sell land.
He explained that the businessman was advised to transact with landowning families, a directive he adhered to, adding that the community only requested social responsibility in return. According to him, Johnson later supported the community with a borehole project, which he described as a demonstration of goodwill.
Balogun, however, said the dispute began when another individual commenced activities on the same land years after the initial transaction.
He further alleged that certain persons attempted to compel community leaders to endorse documents they neither authorised nor benefited from, insisting that signatures attributed to them on such documents were not genuine.
The dispute has been further complicated by allegations of forged land documents, with both community sources and the businessman identifying individuals allegedly linked to their circulation. Johnson alleged that the individuals were being used by a political figure to perpetrate illegal land transactions and intimidate traditional authorities.
However, some of those mentioned have provided differing accounts. One of the landowners, Mr. Jamiu Yeeku, confirmed selling land to Johnson and denied any double allocation, stating that he did not sell the same land to another party.
Similarly, a surveyor, Mr. Kayode Osho, said he measured the land for Johnson after being introduced to him by the landowning family, noting that the transaction followed due process.
Some residents also supported Johnson’s claims, describing him as a legitimate investor with verifiable documents. A community member, Nureni Baloye, said the businessman lawfully acquired the land and had resold portions to clients with proper documentation, adding that any competing claims lack credibility within the community.
In contrast, the chairman of Imo Emulu, Mr. Saidu Fasasi, acknowledged selling land to another party but said he was not involved in the transaction with Johnson, attributing his limited role in recent developments to ill health.
Johnson, in his account, alleged a pattern of harassment, encroachment and destruction of property linked to the dispute across different parts of Ogun State.
He accused a councillor of deploying thugs and security operatives to disrupt his activities, including the demolition of structures on some of his properties.
He also claimed that several petitions and counter-petitions have been filed with security agencies, including the State Criminal Investigation Department, without resolution, alleging that his opponent had failed to honour invitations by authorities.
The dispute has also assumed a political dimension, with Johnson alleging the involvement of a “land grabbing cartel” operating under political influence.
However, Honourable Lateef Adekunle dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, insisting that land disputes should be resolved through the courts or appropriate traditional institutions rather than the media.
