Family Rejects Land Grabbing Claims Amid Alaafin’s Warning
The Onikooko Family of Ilora in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State has rejected land grabbing claim following a recent warning by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, that offenders could face up to 15 years’ imprisonment in a newspaper publication (Vanguard Newspaper) on Saturday 11th day of April, 2026, written by *”Adeolu Badru”*.
The family emphasized that ownership of the land has been conclusively determined by the courts, citing judgments in Suit No. HOY/46/2011 at the High Court of Justice, Oyo State (on the 18th June 2011), and reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Ibadan Division in Appeal NO. CA/IB/309/2021 delivered (on the 4th February, 2026), in favour of the Onikooko Family of Ilora, in Afijio Local Government Area, Oyo State.
Be it known that Itosi Yaya, Tella Omooba, Jowe, Idi-Iyalode, Bada, Ladindin, Janna, Ojutaye, Iporin Kajola, Ajibade, Laagbe, and Ariwinyo, as mentioned in the above said publication are under the territory of Ilora Town which is under Akibio of Ilora in Afijio Local Government of Oyo State AND NOT UNDER OYO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT nor under Alaafin of Oyo. The above quoted judgements also spans a wide area stretching from Odo-Itosi to the Odo-Ogun River, also bounded by Ijaiye Forest Reserve own by Oyo State Government, Ilora Farm Settlement and Alafara Stream.
In a statement signed by Amos Olajire Oketokun, the family described a report in Vanguard Newspaper as “misleading,” particularly the claim that the disputed land is located in Oyo West Local Government Area.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the land is situated within Ilora territory in Afijio Local Government Area and not Oyo West Local Government,” the statement read.
The land boundaries are clearly defined in Certify True Copy Survey Plan with *Survey Plan No. OY/0245/2011/054D* dated 29/11/2011 prepared by Surv. Adetunji Adeleke (Licensed Surveyor).
“These judgments remain valid, binding, and enforceable under the Constitution, and no authority has the power to vary or disregard them,” Oketokun stated.
Responding to the broader crackdown on land grabbing, the family maintained it is not involved in any unlawful activity. “The Onikooko family are not land grabbers; we are only executing court judgments at our disposal,” the statement added.
While affirming respect for the traditional institution, the family stressed that “customary authority does not supersede the constitutional supremacy of judicial pronouncements.”
It warned that any attempt to misrepresent the land’s status or undermine the judgments “constitutes a serious affront to the rule of law and will not be tolerated.”
All parties, including those previously involved in the dispute, are hereby placed on *final notice to desist immediately* from any acts capable of undermining the judgments of the court or breaching public peace.
Note: Let it be known that the above stated judgments adjudged the Onikooko family of Ilora as the rightful owner and family entitled to the customary occupancy of the land covered in the judgments and the above stated survey plan. The family are not land grabbers, and nobody is/was grabbing any land, we are only executing court judgments at our disposal and it is now been twisted.
Signed
Amos Olajire Oketokun
For: Onikooko Family, Ilora
