Residents of Ilupeju Estate, Ijebu-Ode, fear possible demolition as rival ownership claims over the community’s land remain before the courts.
A 90-year-old retiree, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogunbate, has appealed to authorities and parties involved in a longstanding land dispute at Ilupeju Estate, Odo-Oyanta, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, to pursue an amicable settlement and prevent possible demolition of homes in the community.
Ogunbate’s appeal comes amid growing concerns among residents over the ownership of the land on which more than 100 people have reportedly built homes and lived for many years.
Residents staged a protest on Saturday, expressing concern over what they described as an escalating threat to their homes and security.
The dispute centres on competing claims over portions of land at the estate, with residents insisting that they acquired their plots in good faith from individuals they believed had the legal authority to sell or allocate the properties.
90-Year-Old Retiree Fears Losing Home Again
Ogunbate is among the residents affected by the dispute.
According to residents, she previously experienced demolition and later returned from Lagos to settle in Ijebu-Ode following her retirement.
At 90, she is now appealing for authorities and the parties involved to prevent any action that could leave her without a home again.
Her appeal has become one of the human dimensions of the wider dispute, which involves questions over ownership, land transactions and the legal status of properties occupied by residents.
The residents say they have lived on the disputed land for more than two decades after purchasing plots and developing them into homes.
They are asking authorities to examine the competing claims before any action is taken against occupants.
Residents Demand Verification of Land Documents
The residents maintain that they did not knowingly acquire disputed properties.
They said they purchased their plots from people they believed had the authority to sell or allocate the land and subsequently invested in building homes on the properties.
Their position is that the long period of occupation and development of the area should be considered alongside the competing ownership claims.
They are now calling for relevant authorities to examine the title documents presented by the different parties and establish the history of the transactions involving the land.
The residents also want clarification on the scope and implications of previous court proceedings and judgments referenced in the dispute.
These include earlier cases identified as HCJ/72/2009 and CA/IB/M.219/2013.
Legal Dispute Moves Through Courts
The disagreement has already entered the legal process, with correspondence between lawyers indicating that competing claims over the land are being contested.
A May 6 letter from Valiant & Valor, acting on behalf of administrators and beneficiaries of the estate of the late Mrs. Olayide Odutola, asserted ownership of several parcels within the area.
The lawyers reportedly demanded that occupants vacate the affected properties.
The demand has, however, been disputed by lawyers representing some of the residents.
According to the residents’ legal representatives, there are ongoing court proceedings concerning the disputed properties.
One of the cases cited is Suit No. HCS/29/2024, Mrs. Yewande Ogunde and others versus Mr. Ibrahim Akeem, before the High Court in Ijebu-Ode.
A separate criminal matter, identified as MIJ/63/26, is also reportedly before the Chief Magistrate Court in Ijebu-Ode.
The existence of the cases underscores the need for the competing claims and the status of the affected properties to be determined through the appropriate legal process.
Residents Seek Clarity Before Any Demolition
The residents are particularly concerned about the possibility of demolition while questions surrounding ownership remain unresolved.
They are therefore asking relevant authorities to establish the validity of the different title documents and trace the history of transactions involving the disputed parcels.
They also want authorities to determine how previous judgments relate to the current claims and whether the properties occupied by residents fall within land covered by earlier court decisions.
The residents’ request is centred on verification and clarification rather than simply rejecting the claims of the opposing parties.
Their position is that a clear examination of the documents, transactions and court records could help establish the legal status of the properties and reduce the risk of further confrontation.
Long-Term Occupation Adds to Residents’ Concerns
The reported length of occupation is another major concern for residents.
More than 100 occupants are said to have lived in the estate for many years, with some having spent decades developing their properties.
For homeowners such as Ogunbate, the dispute is therefore not merely about undeveloped land.
Many residents have established homes and communities on the disputed parcels, meaning any demolition could have significant consequences for people who have invested in the properties over an extended period.
The residents are consequently calling for caution and a resolution that takes into account the competing claims as well as the circumstances under which they acquired and developed their properties.
Appeal for Amicable Resolution
Ogunbate’s appeal reflects the wider call by residents for the dispute to be resolved without actions that could result in displacement.
The 90-year-old retiree is asking the authorities and parties involved to explore an amicable solution while the legal issues are being addressed.
Residents are also urging the relevant institutions to review the documentation presented by the competing sides and clarify the legal status of the affected land.
The matter remains subject to the ongoing legal proceedings cited by the parties, and the competing ownership claims have not been independently determined in the available report.
The latest development therefore leaves the residents awaiting clarity on the title documents, existing court cases and the potential implications for their homes.
For now, their principal demand is for the relevant authorities to investigate the competing claims thoroughly and for the parties involved to pursue a peaceful resolution that can prevent further uncertainty in Ilupeju Estate.
The residents’ concerns highlight the wider complications that can arise when land transactions, competing title claims and long-term occupation intersect.
Until the legal and documentary questions are conclusively addressed, the affected residents remain concerned about the future of their homes and the possibility of further action against properties within the estate.
