Three persons have been interrogated by the police in Akure over allegations of illegal sale of farmland and destruction of valuable crops belonging to members of the Fasehun family in Ondo city. Among the suspects is a woman popularly known in the area as Iya Eta, whose real name is Mrs Clara Ogunsanmi. Others questioned include Adewunmi Fasehun and Felix Fasehun.
According to a statement issued over the weekend, the trio was invited and thoroughly questioned by officers attached to the police monitoring unit on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The interrogation focused on their alleged role in the unauthorised sale of several acres of farmland, which reportedly belong to prominent members of the Fasehun family—namely, Olufemi Fasehun, Orobola Fasehun, and the late Dr. Frederick Fasehun, the founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).
Police sources said the suspects were also accused of destroying numerous palm trees and other economic crops valued in millions of naira on the disputed land. After several hours of questioning, the Officer-in-Charge of the monitoring unit, Mr Sunday Oshodi, recommended that the three suspects be prosecuted in court to face charges related to trespass, illegal sale of land, and wilful destruction of property.
The statement further quoted one of the aggrieved family members, believed to be Olufemi Fasehun, warning members of the public to avoid purchasing land from the accused individuals. He added that any previous buyers should immediately halt all development activities on such lands and seek refunds from the sellers directly.
The matter, which has now grown into a full-blown family dispute, has also been taken before the court. A High Court sitting in Ondo and presided over by Honourable Justice J.O. Abe has ordered all parties involved in the land ownership dispute to maintain the status quo ante—meaning no party should take further action on the land—until the final determination of the suit. The case is filed as Suit No. HCOD/33/CIV/202.
The legal case, initiated by Mr Olufemi Olusegun Omoola Fasehun and other claimants, targets Adewunmi Fasehun, Felix Fasehun, Clara Ogunsanmi, and a few others listed as defendants. At the heart of the matter is a disagreement over the rightful ownership and authority over the farmlands, with claims and counterclaims dividing the extended Fasehun family.
The ongoing crisis highlights a broader issue of land inheritance disputes that are common in many parts of Nigeria, especially when large family properties are involved. With the increasing value of land in urban centres like Ondo city, disputes of this nature often escalate quickly and draw in both legal and security agencies.
Meanwhile, the police have cautioned members of the public, particularly land buyers and property developers, to avoid acquiring or developing any portion of the disputed land while the matter is still in court. Authorities warned that failure to comply with the court’s interim orders may result in legal consequences.
The Fasehun family has also reportedly united in their condemnation of the alleged actions of Adewunmi, Felix, and Iya Eta. According to them, the illegal sales and destruction of farmland were carried out without the knowledge or approval of the rightful landowners within the family.
The late Dr. Frederick Fasehun, whose name is also mentioned in connection with the land, was a well-known Yoruba nationalist and founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC). His legacy, especially within Ondo State and among Yoruba communities, is seen as significant. As such, the dispute surrounding his family’s land holdings has attracted attention not just locally but across Yoruba-speaking regions.
Legal experts say the court’s order to maintain the status quo is a preventive measure aimed at halting any further escalation until a clear judgment is delivered. For now, all eyes will be on the court as the suit progresses and the full facts of the matter come to light.
