Family Cries Out Over Alleged Harassment On Baaleship Tussle in Magbon Etido ...As Rival Denies Allegation

 

Ogunleye Ewusu Royal Family Members Of Magbon Etido Town During Courtesy Visit To Alake Of Egbaland In Abeokuta

The Ogunleye Ewusu Royal Family of Magbon Etido Town, located in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area near Ofada Town, Ogun State, has raised concerns over alleged harassment, intimidation, and oppression by agents of Chief Adio Adegbola Shodiya, who they claimed is falsely asserting himself as the authentic Baale (traditional ruler) of the town.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Hon. Abdulwaheed Oloyede Ogunleye, the family’s secretary, recounted that the dispute dates back several years when Chief Adio Shodiya originally laid claim to the Baaleship, despite the rightful selection of Chief Alabi Taiwo for the position.

According to Ogunleye, the matter was referred to the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Oba Gbadebo Adedotun, who ruled that Shodiya had been wrongly chosen and confirmed Chief Alabi Taiwo as the authentic Baale.

Chief Taiwo Ogunleye was subsequently installed as Baale but passed away in January 2020.

Following his death, Chief Adio Shodiya once again laid claim to the stool, prompting a second intervention by the Alake of Egbaland. 

The monarch, according to Ogunleye, directed them to seek mediation through members of the Ogboni Confraternity in Igbehin, Abeokuta, before returning to him for a final decision.

Ogunleye accused Chief Shodiya and his associates of using thugs and land grabbers to threaten and intimidate the Ogunleye family, adding that he stayed away from the town due to his alleged atrocities.

"The people struggling with us are thugs and land grabbers. The late Baale, Chief Alabi Taiwo Ogunleye, was installed by the Alake of Egbaland and passed away in 2020. 

"Alake had earlier summoned both Chief Adio Shodiya and the late Chief Taiwo Ogunleye. When questioned about land ownership in the area, Chief Shodiya admitted he had none, while Chief Ogunleye confirmed that the land belonged to his maternal grandfather," he said.

He added that after the Alake of Egbaland confirmed Chief Taiwo Ogunleye as Baale, Chief Shodiya continued to insist on his claim and was subsequently arrested and taken to Ibara Police Station in Abeokuta, later appearing before a Magistrate Court in Isabo.

"When the Alake was invited by the police, he admitted that he had mistakenly chosen Chief Shodiya and later rectified it by selecting Chief Taiwo Ogunleye instead. Unfortunately, Chief Ogunleye passed away in January 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic reached Nigeria," he explained.

Following Chief Ogunleye’s death, Ogunleye alleged that agents of Chief Shodiya continued to harass and threaten their family until a court judgment ruled in their favour.

"That was how we were able to return to our town. But by the time we got back, they had already given our land to Chinese companies involved in dredging in the area. They even prevented us from carrying out our own manual dredging," he said.

According to him, their forefathers had originally allocated land to Shodiya’s people, but that the disputed land rightfully belongs to the Ogunleye family.

He said further that upon their return, the family discovered that several ritual taboos had been committed on their ancestral land. 

According to him, to prevent potential disasters, they had to perform traditional sacrifices and consult the oracle, which rejected Chief Shodiya’s claim and instead chose Chief Kehinde Mujaidu Ewusu as the new Baale of Magbon Etido.

"Chief Shodiya keeps claiming he is the Baale, even though the Alake of Egbaland has ruled otherwise. He doesn't even live in the town as he has no palace there.

"We met Alake along with our family head, Chief Ayinde Ogunleye, and he advised us to go to Igbehin, where our roots lie, and meet the members of the Ogboni Confraternity for a resolution before returning to him," he added.

Ogunleye further alleged that Chief Shodiya's nephew, one Chief Muraino aka Shile Alexandra, who he described as a notorious land grabber, has been orchestrating attacks on the town with thugs, disrupting the peace in the area.

"We are currently in court over land disputes with him. But the rightful Baale of the town remains Chief Kehinde Mujaidu," he stated.

The head of the Ogunleye Ewusu Royal Family, Chief Ayinde Ogunleye, confirmed that Chief Kehinde Mujaidu Ewusu is the legitimate Baale and demanded the immediate removal of Chief Adio Shodiya.

"We have gone to the Alake of Egbaland, who directed us to seek mediation with the Ogboni Confraternity before returning to him. I initially wanted to take the case to court, but my children advised against it.

"Chief Shodiya’s brother falsely accused me of murder, and I was imprisoned for three years before the court discharged and acquitted me. I have also been repeatedly summoned to the Police Command in Zone 2 and Eleweran Police Station over these matters," he lamented.

Meanwhile, a source close to Chief Adio Shodiya, who simply gave his name as Olu Iyanda, refuted the allegations, insisting that Shodiya is the rightful Baale and that he is willing to work with the Ogunleye family to develop the town.

"We have attended meetings convened by the Ogboni Confraternity in Igbehin. The only pending issue is that they requested the presence of Alexandra, Chief Shodiya’s nephew. He is expected to be available on February 20, which is when we will return for further deliberations.

"The Alake of Egbaland remains our father, and we trust that he will deliver justice at the end of the process. We also respect the authority of the Ogboni Confraternity and will abide by their decision," he stated.

With the Baaleship tussle still unresolved, the people of Magbon Etido await a final decision from the Alake of Egbaland and the Ogboni Confraternity on the rightful leader of their community.