By Ibrahim Salaudeen, Lagos
The Olota of Otta -ikosi Ejirin in ikosi/Ejinrin local Government Development Council {LCDA} of Lagos State, Oba Elias Adedapo Ijelu has expressed concern over the activities of alleged illegal chiefs who are parading themselves as traditional chiefs of the town without the consent of the prescribed traditional authority and rules guiding the Obas and Chiefs law of Lagos State.
The monarch condemned the activities of the impostors which he termed an affront on the constituted sacred traditional institution as well as the state government laws that provides for the functions of traditional rulers in the Obas and Chiefs law of the state .
He stated the unscrupulous posturing of the group has, over the years, affected the progress and peace as well as harmonious co-existence of the town as many of them were involved in siding and abetting land grabbing activities .
The monarch recalled that he had on many occasion cautioned the mischief makers to desist from the act capable of causing chaos and making the town ungovernable, noting that the warnings were usually rebuffed by people who considered themselves as untouchable.
He added that it is absurd to learn that mischief makers are the ones behind land grabbers in the town and dragging the development backward.
The traditional ruler lamented that the illegal traditional chiefs have through their land grabbing activities flouted the lagos state anti -land grabbing law established to curtail the menace of land grbbers in the state.
He recalled that that he had written several letters to the state government and the police authorities, but nothing tangible was achieved .
He said, “Most of these illegal chiefs have nothing doing for themselves. Rather, they hsd created nuisance as surety and signing for land grabbers in the communities.”
The lagos State Council Obas had also intervened in the matters and instructed the particular illegal chief to go back to the traditional ruler and do the needful if he really wanted to be a baale in Otta ikosi – Engine
He maintained that the illegality continued due to the vacuum created by the Interregnum period before he ascended the throne.
According to him, the interregnum provided the mischief markers undue environment to engage in unlawful activities in the town.
He called on the Lagos state government, and Nigeria Police force to, as a matter of urgency, help restore the rule of law and secure the lives and properties of ordinary citizens in the area .
