Save the Poor and Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI) has petitioned Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti and National Boundary Commission over alleged plan by a monarch in Osun State to forcefully take over a church land in Ekiti State.
The group alleged that the Elerinmo of Erinmo in Osun state, Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi has perfected plans to forcefully take over the land at Orioke Agbara Emimimo Efon Alaye in Ekiti State from the family of Baba Aladura Joseph Odeyemi Eyinafe Bojesomo.
SPANCI President, Comrade Yemi Ezekiel Bello in the petition addressed to the IGP, Oyebanji, the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders, urged the concerned authorities to wade into the matter to avoid breakdown of law and order.
Bello in the letter made available to journalists recently, noted that the said land which falls within the boundary between Ekiti and Osun states, has been used as church for many years and belonged to the cleric family, Bojesomo family.
He noted that past census and polio vaccination exercises proved that the land is in Ekiti State and not Osun State as claimed by the monarch.
Bello however alleged that the monarch has connived with some indigenes of Erinmo and some individuals to forcefully take over the land from the church.
He then charged the IG, Oyebanji and the National Boundary Commission to intervene in the matter. Explaining that this is necessary so as to avoid loss of lives and property in the area.
Bello while speaking further urged the IG to investigate the matter in the interest of justice and fair hearing.
He said, “Urgent request and appeal to Ekiti State Governor, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chairman Efon Ala Aye Local Government, Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Chairman Boundary Commission, IGP, DSS, CG NSCDC, Ekiti and Osun CP to intervene and rescue Bojesomo family members from the hand of Elerinmo of Erinmo, Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi and Osun State law enforcement agencies.
“We have the consent of Prophet Samuel Adegoke Bojesomo and other family members of Baba Aladura Joseph Odeyemi Eyinafe Bojesomo to write this letter so that their rights and obligations may be protected. The Prayer Mountain genuinely belongs to the Bojesomo family and has been their possession even before Elerinmo became the king. Orioke Agbara Emimimo Efon Alaye is in Ekiti State under Ward 5 of Efon Alaye Local Government, Ekiti State and not Oriade Local Government in Osun State as claimed by Elerinmo and his people.
“That the past census and polio vaccination and other immunisation proved that it is in Ekiti State and not Osun State as claimed but got popular and generally called Orioke Erinmo because that is the easy access from outsiders and travellers to get there because of its closeness and relationship with Erinmo and Erinmo people.
“We want the Ekiti State Government, Alaye of Efon Alaye Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare and other authorities to wade into this matter so that the rights and obligations of the family may be protected and they would be able to bury their father on the said Prayer Mountain.
“That the IGP should caution the alleged Osun State CP and other law enforcement agencies and agents from abusing their power and breaching the constitution and Police Act 2020 as amended section 32(2) and Police Code of Conduct for professional officers. That the matter be purely investigated in the interest of justice and fair hearing”
