By Felix Kuyinu
Indigenes at Oriba community in Epe Lagos have called on the Lagos State Government to intervene over a matter of disparaging comments made by a self acclaimed mornach against them.
The agitators from six rulling houses in the area stated that the Oba elect, Yusuf Olanrewaju, calls them ‘bastards’, thus, threatening the tranquility and security in the area.
Representing the six rulling houses during a briefing were Aare Adesegun Hassan, Chief Modupe Abubakre, Alhaji Mufutau Lawal, Bolanle Lawal, Mujidat Adegoke and Nureni Olanrewaju, who made their disgruntlement known through Yakubu Eleto Law Chamber.
Hassan, who is from Bakare Royal Family of the Akesan Ruling Family, noted that the accused caused disorderliness in the community by disclosing through the media that he is the traditional ruler the community.
He alledged that the self proclaimed mornach also directed all transactions on land matters through himself and his children despite knowing that the case of who becomes the mornach of the community is in court.
Hassan said: “We call on all authorities and elders concerned in Epe Division and Lagos State in general to take urgent steps and actions to stop him from continuing his erroneous activities.
“Himself and his children have caused a breakdown of law and order in the Oriba community.
“Alhaji Yusuf Kasali Olanrewaju is a Baaleship contestant and the matter has been in court since 1999 before a judge of the High Court in Ikeja and the matter has not been resolved up till now.
“Oriba Community in Epe Local Government, Lagos State is alleging the Olanrewajus: The father: Olanrewaju Kasali; The sons: Ismail Olanrewaju, Luqman Olayiwola Olanrewaju and others for trying to cause the breach of peace in the ancient community.
“They went on air, the fact remains that Yusuf Kasali Olanrewaju claimed the Oba-elect of Oriba, that whoever wants to transact land in Oriba should contact him or come to him and his son, to the extent of releasing their phone numbers on Adanimogo FM Radio. They made the broadcast severally. This can cause breach of the peace in Oriba Community
“We are, therefore, calling on all authorities concerned in ensuring law and order as well as peace and security in the community: the security agencies, elders in the state, the political class and all others that may be concerned about this matter to look into it and take necessary action to prevent breakdown of law and order in Oriba Community of Epe Local Government.
“Yusuf Kasali Olanrewaju claims to be Oba-elect and his children have been terrorising the people of the community because the community told their father to step down. Since then they have been terrorising to the extent that they went to the radio station in Ajelogo to go and broadcast that we are not indigenes of Oriba and that they are the only indigenes of Oriba. They made this announcement on the radio and called us bastard. But they are not correct.
“We want the authorities to take action against these people for reasons of Alhaji Yusuf Kasali Olanrewaju parading himself as the Oba-elect which is not true. That is why we want the government to take action against Alhaji Yusuf Olanrewaju, Ismail Olanrewaju, Luqman Olanrewaju and others urgently.
“If we fail to do this, it can cause the breakdown of law and order because we have been the ones talking to our children and the youths stopping them against reacting to the Olanrewajus’ actions so as not to cause crisis in the community. Oriba is an ancient town and we want all that have the capacity to take preventive measures to listen to our cries.
“Our prayer is that they should call these people to come and explain why, despite knowing that a matter is in court, they went on radio and made the repeated announcement that they made,” he said.
