• I ‘ve no hands in the matter – Monarch

By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The Executive Director, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda, HURMA, Global Resources Initiative, Comrade Buna Olaitan, has called for immediate deposition of Oba Titus Adeleke, the Olu of Wakajaye in Ayedade local government, Osun state over displacement of a septuagenarian blind man, Gabriel Amusan, from his farmland.

Amusan had cried out over displacement of his family from his father’s farmland at Wakajaye, accusing the monarch of supporting the hoodlums that invaded his house.

Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, Thursday, Amusan explained that one Cecilia Olatunbosun, a relative from his father’s side, led a group of thugs to demand farmland which has been settled by the court some years ago.

He said all explanations to let her know that the matter had been settled when her father was alive proved abortive as she went to recruit thugs led by one Rasheed Azeez from Modakeke to threaten him and his family.

HURMA notes that petition had been forwarded to governor Ademola Adeleke, calling for the deposition of Oba Titus Adeleke, the Olu of Wakajaye, for aiding the thugs that attacked the blind man and his family.

“We strongly believe that Oba Titus Adeleke’s continue reign encourages impunity, endangers lives, undermines public confidence in traditional institution, disrespect the judiciary and threatens the peace and order of Osun State.

“Therefore, we call for his immediate deposition in accordance with the Chiefs Law of Osun State and other laws governing traditional institutions.

“A corpse was recently discovered floating in a river in Wakajaye. This tragic discovery supports repeated reports of targeted killings and attempted murder linked to the ongoing land violence,” the group said.

When contacted, Oba Adeleke denied knowing anything about the matter, saying that he has not been installed when the land issue started.

He said, “I don’t know anything about it. They came to meet me at the palace to settle it. I have not been installed when the matter started around 1974. The man has gone to the court. If they had not gone to the court, it can still be resolved. But since the matter has been taken to the court, we have to wait for the judgement,” the monarch said.