Concerned indigenes of Ajiran Land in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State have distanced themselves from a public notice purportedly issued by the Ojomu Royal Family, describing its contents as spurious and inconsistent with the revered status of the palace.
In a statement signed by concerned indigenous residents, the group expressed doubts that the notice truly emanated from the palace of the Ojomu of Ajiran Land and the Balogun of Ajiran Land, despite being allegedly signed in their names.
According to them, the tone and content of the document lack the “royalty and dignity” expected from such a traditional institution.
The indigenes said they deemed it necessary, “for the sake of posterity and a full understanding of the facts,” to refute what they described as false allegations contained in the notice.
They reiterated their support for a full, thorough and unbiased investigation into the murders of Sheriff Isola Salami and Prince Ademola Akinloye, who were reportedly killed on April 18, 2023, and August 26, 2024, respectively.
However, they warned that the investigation into the deaths of the two Ajiran indigenes must not be turned into a tool for blackmail or witch-hunt.
According to the statement, previous investigations into the murders did not implicate any prominent Ajiran youth, raising concerns that the reopening of the matter alongside what they described as “propaganda” in the purported notice suggests a targeted agenda.
The group also condemned what they called the deliberate linking of the murder investigations with the issue of land sales in Ajiran Land. They described the move as malicious and an attempt to shift focus to underlying disputes over communal land transactions.
Clarifying their position, the indigenes maintained that Ajiran Land, belonging to the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family, is communal property owned by all indigenes and not the exclusive preserve of a select few.
They alleged that Mr. Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi and Mr. Wasiu Yekini Akinsemoyin have come under attack because of their advocacy for transparency and equitable distribution of proceeds from the sale of communal land.
The duo, they said, have been championing the democratization of land sale proceeds to ensure that funds are used for the development of the community and the benefit of all indigenes.
The statement further alleged that billions of naira accrued from the sale of thousands of acres of land to individuals and multinational companies over the years have not translated into visible developmental projects within the community.
It questioned what such funds had been used for, alleging that proceeds had been cornered by a few individuals for personal and family benefits.
They also claimed that individuals who have challenged what they described as opaque management of Ajiran communal land have allegedly faced intimidation and harassment.
Declaring solidarity with Tajudeen and Akinsemoyin, the indigenes urged them not to be discouraged by what they termed sustained harassment, expressing confidence that truth and justice would ultimately prevail.
