By Friday Omosola
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Wednesday sued for peace after receiving the report on the communal land dispute in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government of the state.
Akeredolu spoke during the submission of the committee set up to look into the crisis chaired by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye.
The Governor said his administration has made a salient point to address the land dispute in Igbokoda, the seat of power of the Ilaje local government, adding that it is one of the areas that can boast of massive land mass.
He said, “We have taken some steps to stem the gradual descend into anarchy. There were killings and cult clashes. I want to say that we will look at the report by the time we have a white paper on it. We should be able to put an end to this dispute about who owns what.
“I believe that this report will assist us a lot. I want to trust that you have done a thorough job because you were carefully selected. We will execute it on time. We will not favour anybody. I don’t know anybody and I don’t want to know. All I know is that there must be peace.”
Speaking during the submission of the report, the Chairman of the Committee and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye commended Governor Akeredolu for his quick intervention to restore peace back to Igbokoda which in recent time faced cult clashes over land issues.
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Titiloye said the committee came up with five recommendations, adding that if fully implemented by the government, it would bring lasting peace to the community.
He informed Governor Akeredolu that in the bid to ensure peaceful and amicable resolution of the crisis, the committee examined the various judgements and correspondences between parties in the dispute
According to him, the committee confirmed that the Supreme Court judgement was not given in favour of any of the parties but the entire Mahin kingdom.
“Consequently, sir, we have made five recommendations which we believe, if implemented by the government , will bring peace to Igbokoda.
“Igbokoda, as the capital of Ilaje local government, is central to the development of the state. We urge the government to do all that is required to bring peace. The committee members appreciate the Governor for the opportunity to serve in the committee,” he said.
The Chairman of the Committee, however, stated that there is no boundary limitation to ascertain the extent of land of each community.
