Metro

I’m not land grabber – Akinrogun of Ibeju Lekki

Akinrogun of Ibeju Lekki Kingdom, Chief Jelili Jimoh Akande, popularly known as Jejelaye, on Wednesday, denied allegations of being involved in nefarious activities like grabbing, threat to life, kidnapping or fraud, adding that as a businessman, he has built an age-long reputation as a credible and law-abiding citizen and cannot keep quiet while his reputation is being torn apart.

He made the denial while reacting to allegations that he was grilled for several hours by the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Onikakan, Lagos, over alleged involvement in land grabbing, threat to life, kidnapping, and fraudulent activities on Abereoje family land, along Lagos – Epe Expressway, Oreki village, in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of the state.

The report had alleged that the Akinrogun of Ibeju Lekki Kingdom had taken advantage of the trust bestowed on him and fraudulently sold almost the entire land he was meant to secure and converted the proceeds to his personal use and the alleged activities had led to the revocation of the power of attorney earlier granted to him by the family.

But he had stated that the allegations were false, adding that “I want to clarify the circumstances of the land transactions at Oreki village between me, Chief Jimoh Jelili Akande (The Akinrogun of Ibeju-Lekki Kingdom) and Chief Akanni Olufowora. I am a businessman whose business revolves around real estate and property consultants, with commendable experience and reputation in this regard.

“In 2015, a power of attorney was executed in my favour by Chief Akanni Olufowora over the land belonging to the Abereoje Oguntakun-Onibeju family which I later discovered that the said land was under litigation in Suit No: 1927/2009 between Lasiru & Ors vs Oladapo Olufowora & Ors before Hon. Justice Ipaye sitting at the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Division.

“Over the years, I acted in good faith, purchasing multiple plots of land from Olufowora and facilitating transactions for my clients based on the trust built over time, which he (Olufowora) collected huge amounts of money from me and also from my clients including vehicles in exchange for plots of land at Oreki village.

“It was only later revealed that the ownership claims made were deceitful, leading to a dispute with the rightful landowners. Despite attempts to address this situation amicably, I was met with evasion and a subsequent attempt to revoke the power of attorney.

“Recognising the fraudulent nature of these actions, a legal action was taken to protect my interests and those of my clients. In his quest to override the rule of law of this nation, he further went to Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos for these same allegations thinking he could use the police to threaten and shut me up, but the police were sensitive and diligent in investigating the matter, and I was invited by the police for a fact-finding, which I honoured and wrote my statement of defence on the so-called unfounded allegations.

“A date was fixed for both of us to come for a proper interview, but to my greatest surprise, he has been on the run up until now because he has found nothing to substantiate the allegations. Let me use this opportunity to inform the public that I have sued him on the matter at the High Court of Lagos State, Epe Division.

“I’m not a fraudulent person, neither am I a land grabber nor threatening the life of anyone. I am a man of honour with such a commendable reputation, and in addition, I don’t have any criminal records anywhere, both at home and abroad.

“I remain committed to upholding integrity and transparency in all dealings and will continue to address these allegations through the appropriate legal channels,” he added.

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