Community petitions Oyebanji over illegal clearing, destruction of farms

The Odo Oro Ekiti community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State has petitioned the Governor, Biodun Oyebanji over alleged illegal clearing and destruction of farms and other activities of Agbeyewa Farms Ltd.

In the petition addressed to the governor, titled: Trespass/Criminal Destructions /Unlawful Encroachment on Odo Oro Community Farmland By Agbeiyewa Farms, which was made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday, was signed by barrister Kayode Akinwumi Esq who is the solicitor for the community.

Akinwumi explained that in February/March 2023, some unknown individuals were seen on Ilise Royal Family land, near Mosalasi Camp, Odo Oro Ekiti, with plough machines, clearing some portions of land.

“When challenged, the strangers identified themselves as members of staff of Agbeyewa Farms Ltd, and claimed that they thought the land belonged to Ipao Ekiti with whom they had agreement on land transaction, They apologized for thereafter, the same people were seen on another land; this time on a portion of land that belongs to Ikasi Street, Ugbo Olookoju, Odo Oro Ekiti, and when accosted again, they gave the same excuse as in Ilise Royal Family land.

“Subsequently, they were found clearing Another family land, Ugboroko, Odo Oro Ekiti. Your excellency, in all the instances cited above, various economic trees ranging from cocoa, oranges, cashew trees, Iroko trees, etc. were wantonly destroyed by the invaders before they were stopped by the Odo Oro Ekiti people.

“Our client is bringing the attention of the Ekiti State Government to this brazen assault on their collective sensibilities by Agbeyewa Farms, and if not quickly curtailed, they may have no other better option than to exercise to protect their ancestral belongings
in the prevailing circumstance.

“As at the time of writing this letter, Agbeyewa Farms and its agents were wreaking havoc on our client’s farm.”

Reacting to the petition, the management of the Agbeiyewa farm said the allegations made by the Odo-Oro community regarding land encroachment was unfounded and misdirected.

The Director of Corporate Communications and Engagement Agbeyewa Farms Limited, Mr Dauda Lawal, said the 5,000 hectares of land allocated to the firm by the Ekiti State government, spanning Ipao, Esun, Odo-Oro, and Itapaji communities, was obtained legally and through due process.