Mining: Osun Community warns of impostors signing agreements on their behalf

Sons and daughters of Odo-Ijesa, a community in Atakumosa East Local Government of Osun State, raised the alarm over non-indigenes portraying themselves as their kinsmen and signing community development agreements on their behalf.

They, however, warned those impersonating the town to desist from the act or face the law.

The indigenes of the settlement, who alleged that some influential people in the adjourning town of the community are meddling in the affairs of the community without the leadership of the town’s approval, warned mining companies operating in the community not to sign community development agreement (CDA) with anyone except the recognised leaders of the town

Speaking through their community leaders after a meeting of Odo-Ijesa community leaders held at the residence of Orisa of Odo-Ijesa, High Chief Olugbenga Ogunniyi, the people, however, warned the companies operating in the community not to fall into the hands of those who are not the true representatives of the town.

According to them, it is unfortunate that these impersonators intimidated and coerced the representative of a mining firm operating in the town, Segilola Resources Operating Limited, to believe that they were the town’s representatives.

However, in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of Odo-ijesha community leaders, dated January 23, 2024, and signed by High Chief Ogunniyi and the community secretary, Mr Odusanya Isaiah, it was noted that people who are not from the town cannot transact on their behalf.

The communique read in part, “Traditional rulers and chiefs outside the Odo-Ijesa community can not act on behalf of the Odo-Ijesa community.

They have no right whatsoever to nominate or approve members of our community development association to sign the community development agreement with Segilola Resources Operating Limited.

“Odo-Ijesa is an autonomous community in Atakunmosa East Local Government Area with its own Oba stool, chiefs, and kingmakers. She is not subservient to any other community, Oba, Chief, or whatsoever within the Atakunmosa East Local Government Area.

“The stool of Olubikin of Odo-Ijesa community remains vacant as claimants to the stool are in court, and there is a subsisting order of court mandating parties to maintain status quo.

“High Chief Olugbenga Ogunniyi remains the Orisa of the Odo-Ijesa community, having been installed according to the tradition and custom of our Odo-Ijesa by the kingmakers, Olori Omo, Olori Ojugbon, Olori Awo, Olori Ode, Iyaloja, and Olori Odo, and affirmed by Ogboni Ipole, Oba Odo, Arapate, and Loro on behalf of Owa Obokun of Ijesa Land.

“Any other person parading themselves as Orisa of the Odo-Ijesa community should be ignored. Also, Mr Odusanya Ishola Isaiah remains the community secretary.

“The kangaroo meeting arranged by the Oba of a sister community in Atakunmosa East Local Government Area and a Chief in Ilesa with Segilola Resources Operating Limited does not represent our interest.

“The organiser of the meeting has no right whatsoever to organise a meeting on our behalf, as we do not have any conflict with Segilola Resources Operating Limited.

“According to the mining laws of Nigeria, only members of the direct host community can sign a community development agreement (CDA) with any mining company operating in that community.

“Therefore, only Odo-Ijesa community indigenes and not aliens from neighbouring towns and communities can sign the community development agreement (CDA).”

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