CRISIS IN ATORIN-IJESA: Some residents tackle Alatorin, allege oppression... Alatorin explains

Some residents of of Atorin in Atakumosa East Local Government of Osun state have accused their traditional ruler, Oba Robertson Omololu Ibitoye Afilaka, of making life unbearable for them.

The traditional ruler is also alleged of ill-treating and oppressing the Ogedengbe family, one of the first settlers of the town.

In a revelation made before the seven-member committee set up by Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup Ajimoko III to investigate complaints levied against his chiefs by the people of Ijesaland, including controversies surrounding some chieftaincy titles, and boundary disputes with neighboring towns and villages, chaired by the Salotun of Ilesa, Chief Disu Oyedele, which was live on Facebook page of Mr. Isaac Haastrup, Oba Ibotoye Afilaka was accused of involvement in indiscriminate gold mining from Atorin to Faforiji and having adverse effects on some families landed property.

Speaking before the panel, the Risa of Atorin berated Oba Afilaka's silence on issues of indiscriminate mining activities in Atorin town. He also alleged Alatorin of using thugs to harass his people.

High Chief Risa who claimed before the 7-member committee that the installation of Oba Ibitoye Afilaka did not follow due process since he did not get the approval of the late Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa Late Oba S. A. Popoola who joined his ancestors in 2021.

"I, in company of Tobalase of Atorin have twice bailed some residents out of police custody. Since his installation, there hasn't been peace in Atorin." Risa of Atorin said

Also speaking, Chief Tobalase explained how he was involved in the installation of the Alatorin and how he paid the consequences from the late Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa who sanctioned him with a punishment of 16 months without salary.

Explaining the circumstances that led to his involvement at the installation of Oba Afilaka as Alatorin Chief Tobalase claimed that he thought they were going to install him as Looyin of Atorin of but he later realized that he was installing an Alatorin.

In a separate chat with kakakioodua, High Chief Risa of Atorin accused Alatorin of destabilizing a family party of the Ogedengbe family, pulling down the Ogedengbe's Hall and turning Dame to a police post as he removed Ogedengbe's name from the building. This the Ogedengbe family termed as cruel.

An elder of the community, Chief Lifofin in his explanation before the panel threw light on the circumstances surrounding the installation of Oba Ibotoye Afilaka as Alatorin claiming that it was supported by an approval from the late Owa Aromolaran II.

He also exposed how Hon Sanya Omirin introduced miners to work around the riversides of Atorin that led to the realization of the electrification project of the town sponsored by the miners as he disputed the allegation that he received N85m.

Adjourning the case the chairman the panel, Chief Disu Oyedele, Salotun of Ilesa asked the parties for more related documents.

Other committee members include Chief Fatoye Olaniyi, secretary; Loro of Ilesa; High Chief Olalekan Folorunso, Ogboni of Ilesa; High Chief Saka Fapounda, the Agbadae of Igbadae; Oba Olaoaebikan, the Loosare of Isare; Chief Lawrence Balogun; and Risa of Ijamo, Chief Oladayo Oginni.

When contacted, Oba Robertson Omololu Ibitoye Afilaka denied the allegations of his involvement in indiscriminate gold mining.

"I registered a company, the Atorin Community Mining and Trading Company (ACMTC) for a mining lease on part of our land that was granted with exploration license 44946." He said

He also alleged the involvement of the Ooni of Ife in connivance with Hon. Sanya Omirin, Chief Akinsanya Fakowajo aka Are Gold, a native of Ifewara and Chinese miners on the land already approved for ACMTC.

Oba Robertson Omololu Ibitoye Afilaka also alleged that the Alamo of Ayegbaju-Ijesa, Oba Abideen Adeyemi of engaging in the sale of chieftaincy and obaship positions of Atorin Kingdom to the highest bidders, without following the proper selection process.

"When Alamo acted as the Chairman of the Atakumosa East Council of Obas, during the period of intervention between the passage of late Alatorin, Oba Olufisayo Ogedengbe and the installation of Oba Ibitoye Afilaka, he installed the Olowu of Owu, elevated Ejemo of Atorin to become Alayinoke of Ayinoke and even installed one Ajilore, his driver as an Oba." Oba Afilaka remarked

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