The embattled traditional ruler of Iyemero community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Agboola Ogungbemi, on Tuesday told journalists in Ado Ekiti that he did not embark on illegal sale of land and economic trees in the town as alleged by his subjects on Saturday.
Ogungbemi said the allegation was made by his adversaries to create bad blood between him and his subjects.
He said the compensation paid by government on the land acquired in the town was duly shared by the owners.
He said the modality of sharing was not coordinated by the palace or his council.
The Iyemero Progressive Union, led by its National Chairman, Lawrence Fatoyinbo, had during a protest against the continued stay in office of the monarch on Saturday accused him of forcefully seizing their lands, harassment and illegal detention of indigenes and deprivation of some chiefs of their monthly entitlements.
Ogungbemi, however, debunked the allegations, saying they were concocted by his enemies to tarnish his image in the community.
Enumerating his contributions to the community, the monarch said he had attracted over 20 developmental projects to the community through his personal efforts and interaction with the state government since his ascension onto the throne.
He said it will be wrong for his subjects to pay him back by dividing the community and make his reign turbulent.
He said: “Since I became king in March 2000, developing the town has always been my preoccupation contrary to what was being painted by the IPU.
“I never arrested or detained any member of my community since my assumption of the throne 16 years ago with the exception of some hoodlums and well known thugs who once invaded my palace with dangerous weapons.
“I complained to the Director of SSS and CP who ordered their arrest.
“I want to say that I have never sold a piece of land in Iyemero.
“However, the previous administration actually requested for a parcel of arable land for cassava cultivation and production and this was released following due consultation with Olu Iyemero-in-Council and other key members of the community.
“I want to say that all the chiefs are receiving their monthly stipends.
“They receive and sign for it with the exception of one who has been staying away from meetings.
“But with the intervention of Attah of Ayede Ekiti in the matter, I have agreed to pay.”
The traditional Prime Minister of the community, Chief Samuel Adebiyi, described the crisis in the town as a gang up by few aggrieved individuals whom he accused of desperately working for the Oba’s deposition.
Adebiyi, the Aro of Iyemero and a retired Colonel, said: “Government doesn’t pay compensation for land taken from any community, but they used to pay compensation for the damaged crops and economic trees.
“So, the N5 million paid for the land taken by government for commercial cassava production was shared to the ebira farm owners and the Ilisha family, who were directly affected by the project.
“Infallibility belongs to God.
“He is the only person who cannot make mistakes.
“We are calling on them to eschew violence because nothing can be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis and turbulence.”
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