Akogun Elijah Adeogun has refuted claims that he was involved in the unrest at Osuke which led to the killing of one Obasanjo Jinadu Saheed, describing it as a cheap blackmail and an attempt by marauders to defame him and soil his good name.
Akogun Elijah said this during a chat with VOA News Correspondent on his involvement in the imbroglio at Osuke, Ota which left at least, one person dead and some properties destroyed.
He explained that he is a member of Faith Tabernacle Church, known as Winners Chapel, Ota and was only added to the committee on lands just few weeks ago, having discovered the nature of his job.
”I am not from Osuke, I am from Ilasa and if by precedence that I have gotten to Osuke in my entire life, it was only once. I don’t have a land in Osuke and I am not the Winners Chapel that owns land in the area. I was only added to the land committee three weeks ago because they got wind of the kind of job I do. We were having a meeting of the committee where it was resolved that everyone should steer clear of all the lands belonging to the church at least for now because despite having a subsisting court injunction which was gotten on the lands, the land speculators still continued to dredge the land for commercial purposes. So, it was resolved that we should write a petition to that effect.
We were at Eleiweiran last week for the petition we wrote on the case while one Ibrahim Ibuoye also wrote his own petition. It was at the DCP’s office we resolved through an undertaking that all parties should maintain status quo on the land as the court ruled. Is Winners land a plot of land or half plot of land that I can encroach with the aim of selling? So, how will I go there to cause trouble?”.
He further said that he has been hearing rumour of the blackmail since Monday when someone called to ask about his involvement in Osuke matter, but he was quick to disclaim the allegation as he knows nothing about it.
”The blackmail started on Monday, 24th February when one Julius Aghahowa called me that he heard there was gun shot at Osuke and I asked him of what concern that is to me and told him not to call my line again. When I returned from court in the evening, I got another call from Zone 2 because Winners’s land matter is there, it is even with the IGP Monitoring unit, so I told them that they should call Winners because I don’t have land there and I am not at loggerheads with anyone there. So, my role in Winner’s land committee is just to advise them on what to do to resolve the land dispute they have with land speculators.
I just returned from the Magistrates’ court in Ota now and found out what you wrote about me; which is not true. Why would anyone be thinking of soiling my hard earned name just because of whatever reason. I want you to do a proper investigation on the matter and please, let the public know the real truth behind this”. He said.
Recall that VOA News reported a news of an unrest which broke out at Osuke Ota on Wednesday which led to the killing of one Obasanjo Jinadu Saheed and destruction of some vehicles.
Read story here..
Meanwhile, when VOA News Correspondent contacted the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bimbo Odutola, she said that the Area Commander has gotten wind of the event and he is working on it.
