A businessman, Olufemi Fasehun, has raised alarm over an ongoing land dispute in Ondo City, Ondo State, involving members of his extended family and some officers of the Nigeria Police Force. He has sent a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Police Service Commission, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, calling for an impartial investigation into the case.
According to a statement released by Fasehun, the disputed land is jointly owned by himself, Orobola Fasehun, and the late Dr Frederick Fasehun, founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC). He alleged that the land has been illegally encroached upon by Adewunmi Fasehun, Felix Fasehun, and a woman identified as Clara Ogunsanmi, popularly known as “Iya Eta”.
Fasehun claimed that the encroachment led to the destruction of several economic trees, especially palm trees, and he expressed concerns that portions of the land might have been sold under questionable ownership claims. He warned members of the public to be cautious and verify all transactions related to the said property, noting that the case is still under active investigation.
The businessman also alleged that certain police officers in Zone 17 of the Nigeria Police Force in Akure are interfering in the matter. He specifically mentioned Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sunny Dangana, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Kayode, and the Officer-in-Charge of the Monitoring Team, accusing them of actions that could compromise the fairness of the investigation.
He stated that the Ondo State Commissioner of Police initially started investigating the case, but the process was allegedly stalled after the case file was transferred to Zone 17. He called on IGP Egbetokun and the newly appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for the zone to ensure that the matter is treated fairly and without favouritism. Fasehun also urged the police authorities to maintain transparency and uphold professionalism in handling the dispute.
In his petition, he stressed that the matter goes beyond family disagreement and reflects wider concerns about land ownership rights, justice, and public trust in the legal system in Ondo State. He appealed to both the government and the general public to give the issue the attention it deserves, especially due to the rising number of land-related disputes in the state.
Meanwhile, a High Court sitting in Ondo has issued an order directing all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo ante pending the resolution of the case. The ruling was delivered by Hon. Justice J.O. Abe during a recent court session involving Suit No: HCOD/33/CIV/202.
The suit was filed by Mr Olufemi Olusegun Omoola Fasehun and others against Adewumi Fasehun, Felix Fasehun, Mrs Clara Ogunsanmi, and several others over the legal ownership and control of the land in question. While the claimants, along with their legal counsel A.Y. Aliyu, were present during the court proceedings, the defendants were absent. Justice Abe adjourned the case to July 2, 2025, for mention and instructed that hearing notices be served on all absent parties.
The court also ruled that no party should take any further action concerning the disputed land, effectively freezing all activities on the property until the matter is resolved in court. The temporary order is aimed at preserving peace and preventing escalation of the dispute.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ondo State Police Command has not released any official response to the petition or the allegations of interference made against its officers. All attempts by our correspondent to reach the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Odunlami Ibukun, were unsuccessful.
The petition has added a new layer of public interest to the already tense dispute, which observers say underscores the need for improved transparency in land administration and better oversight in handling family and communal property matters in Nigeria.
