By Uju Mbanusi

THE last might not have been heard of the scuffle between two highly respected monarchs in Lagos state, as one of the  parties,  Oba Gbolahan Akanbi Timson, the Jagunmolu of Shomolu/ Bariga area of the state during the week raised an alarm over alleged threat to his life and that of members of his family by some individuals alleged to be loyal to HRH Oba Rilwan Akinlolu, the Oba of Lagos.

In a petition addressed to President Good luck Jonathan and copied to the Inspector -General of Police (IGP), Oba Timson stated that a section of the Nigerian police availed themselves as instruments of oppression in the hands of his detractors to unjustly prosecute him and members of his immediate family, neighbours and associates over an on-going scuffle which he traced the origin to a disputed piece of land located at number 33, Shogbamu Street, Bariga in 1998.  he said the scuffle is between himself and a man he identified as Wasiu Animashaun stating that unknown to him, the said Animashaun happened to be a  close relation to Oba Akiolu.  The matter, according to the royal father,  created a gap between him and the Oba of Lagos and since then , there has been a ‘no- love- lost’ relationship between the two monarchs.

During the parley with reporters which was attended by many of his kinsmen including old men and women, Oba Timson lamented his predicaments in the past fifteen years during which he stated that he and members of his family and neighbours have suffered series of undue intimidation, ranging from loss of lives, raids, unlawful detentions, loss of properties worth millions of naira,assassinations, breach of court orders and court sessions.

“I want the Lagos State government to obey court orders, do what is right and call these perpetrators to order  because the law is no respecter of anybody; they should give me my dues as the custodian of the stool to my people;  they should obey all court orders on the Oba Jagunmolu stool,including the high court judgment of Justice Stitta-Bay directing the state government to install me as Jagunmolu,the affirmation of that judgment by the court of Apeal, Lagos division and the order of mandamus by Justice Kazeem Alonga of the Lagos High Court directing the Governor to install me as Jagunmolu 111 of Somolu/Bariga.  I don’t want to be whisked away and somebody finds my body somewhere. What I have got so far since these intimidation began is the Grace of God surviving me,”  he said.

He urged the Inspector-General of Police to wade into the matter and ensure that justice was done.