Ajana Family Accuses Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti of Land Grabbing, Judicial Disregard as Ekiti State Government Was Joined in the lawsuit
A simmering land dispute in Ikere Ekiti has erupted into a major controversy, as the Ajana Family has openly accused the town’s monarch, His Royal Majesty Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, of autocratic behaviour and blatant disregard for the rule of law.
The dispute, which spans several years, involves ancestral land jointly claimed by the Ajana and Ajiboye families. The matter was resolved through a High Court jugement between the parties. But in a dramatic turn of events, the family now alleges that the king has flouted the court’s judgment and handed over the disputed land to unnamed investors without consultation or due process.
Judicial Decisions Ignored
Judgement by Justice Ola Fawehinmi of the Ikere High Court in Suit No HCR/33A/87 dated 26/1/90 ruled on the land ownership between the parties and held that they are brothers and should exist peacefully between themselves. Despite the clarity of the judgment, the Ajiboye Family allegedly rejected the ruling and continued to assert control over the property.
Faced with persistent opposition, the Ajana Family initiated both civil and criminal proceedings at the Magistrate and High Courts in Ikere Ekiti to protect their rights.
“Despite this clear and binding court judgment, members of the Ajiboye family continued to show hostility and took steps contrary to the peaceful resolution of the matter,” the family stated.
Palace Panels vs Court Orders
In what was initially perceived as a peace effort, the Ogoga set up traditional panels to mediate between the warring families. In resolutions dated June 30, 2023, and November 20, 2024, these palace panels echoed the High Court’s position, calling for the land to be shared.
However, the Ajiboye Family again rejected the resolutions. According to the Ajana Family, the Ogoga, instead of upholding judicial and traditional decisions, unilaterally announced that the land had been handed over to unnamed investors.
“In an unprecedented and shocking twist, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, without consultation, negotiation, or consent of the Ajana Family, announced that the land in dispute had been handed over to some unnamed investors,” the family said.
Legal Petitions and Retaliation
In response, the Ajana Family, through their legal counsel, petitioned the Surveyor-General of Ekiti State on March 10, 2025, opposing the move. Copies of the petition were also sent to the Ekiti State Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, and the State Security Service.
Further legal action followed. On June 19, 2025, the family filed a motion to join key state actors— including the Surveyor-General, Governor, and Bureau of Lands — as respondents in the pending suit. The High Court granted the request on June 9, 2025.
The family’s frustration deepened when the monarch suspended Chief Oluwabamise Julius Afolabi, from the Ajana Family, for three months. The family views the suspension as retaliation.
“This suspension is perceived by the Ajana Family as a retaliatory and coercive action, aimed at silencing legitimate opposition and legal redress,” the statement reads.
A Cry for Justice
The Ajana Family has now called for urgent intervention from the Ekiti State Government, judiciary, civil society, and the public.
“We view these developments as a flagrant abuse of traditional authority; a direct affront to the rule of law and judicial integrity; a deliberate attempt to dispossess the Ajana Family of its rightful heritage and ancestral land,” the family declared.
The statement further warned that allowing traditional authority to override court judgments could set a dangerous precedent in the state.
“Traditional authority must not be allowed to override court judgments or be used as a tool of oppression,” said Barrister Olajide Ajana, lead counsel to the family.
The Ajana Family reaffirmed its commitment to peace and legal recourse, stressing they “reject every attempt to undermine our rights and intimidate our leadership.”
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