Alleged Forceful Takeover of Landed Property Of Ibadan Based Broadcast Journalist, Ayodeni Aluko ((ISEYA): The Need for NUJ, Others Media Stakeholders to Speak Up For The Right of Journalists.
By Lekan Shobo Shobowale
A few days ago, I was reading a story of an Abuja based journalist , Abdussalam Ibrahim Ahmad who has accused the police in the FCT of involvement in an alleged bid to take over his property by a property agent.
He said despite having acquired the land legally through a transaction with its original owner sometime in 2018 with a fully certified Customary document from the Tafa LGA, the agent approached him five years ago, with a claim that the land belonged to him for over 20 years, and subsequently demanded him to stop the development process on it.
Seriously, the case of Abdussalam is one of many cases being experienced by journalists every day. Most of these property owners, notwithstanding, have had one reason or the other to seek the help of journalists, whether for the promotion of their goods and services, corporate imaging, political or even personal. But when it is time for possession of property, whether legally or illegally, they forget the goods journalists have done them.
A few days ago in Oyo State, a prominent broadcast journalist and good colleague of mine, who many call Iyaafin Ayodeni Ise-Ya, made a public outcry over her property that an Ibadan elderstateman, politician, and former Nigeria Minister Wole Oyelese allegedly making attempt to take over.
Ayodeni Aluko, an ace broadcaster and host of a popular ISEYA programme on television, said Oyelese is forcibly attempting to take over a parcel of land she legally acquired.
“According to Aluko, the said land is Erunmu-Ayede road, the said land belongs to Mobolayo family, which are also divided into three, Akinrinade, Adegbola and Adebomi. I bought my own land from the Akinrinade family. One of their son is Yekini Abule, who sold the land to over fifty of us. Yekini Abule died two months ago, and before his death, Elder Oyelese never showed up to make any claim. ”
“Baba Oyelese only came out last Monday to inform us that he owns the land. He said he bought the land over twenty years ago. Even at that, he never gave any notice. Not even a thirty minutes notice. Even though he has not demolished any of the buildings but he had directed occupant on the land to vacate. Some , he promised to give a plot of land as compensation. He had even been putting layouts on the land.
“As at the time I bought the land, no layouts or pillars of any form. There were bushes and I had to paiy hundred of thousands to fell some of the big threes. Charcoal was also made on the land out of the threes I fell.”
Elder Wole Oyelese started as a local government chairman of Egbeda local government during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. He later became a minister under Late Gen. Sani Abacha, and a member of the Oyo State advisory council. One would then have expected Baba Oyelese handled this with very careful caution knowing the importance and position of members of the “Fourth estate of the realm.””
The land was acquired by Ayodeni on March 23, 2023, and she has been developing the land , slow, and steady. As a journalist myself, I know how hard it is for a journalist to get a half plot of land in Ibadan now, even five years ago, not talk of an acre of land.
But over the past few months, I know there has been an attraction to that particular section of the road because of the circular road being constructed by Governor Seyi Makinde. The road is a significant infrastructure project in the state with major aim of easing traffic congestion and open up new corridors for economic activities, which will attract investors, possibly one major reasons, our Baba now remembers the land now if at all, he is the original owner as being claimed.
But my submission will be that the former Minister should tread with caution, respect for our colleague, Ayodeni, and for all journalists in the state and resolve the matter amicably. I know our revered Baba still has thousands of landed property scattered across the state, so letting fo of just an acre for such a hardworking women journalist must not be difficult. Journalists now understand better how to fight their own battle, unlike before. Also, the leadership of our profession (Jounalism & Media) should speak up for one of their own. For the leadership of NUJ in Oyo state, it is a call to protect the right, interest, and integrity of one of their own.
For my colleagues and sister, Ayodeni Aluko, be calm. Your hard earned investment shall never be taken away unjustly.
May God bless us all.
Lekan Shobo Shobowale is an Ibadan based Media Consultant.