The Orangun of Ila and Paramount ruler of Igbomina kingdom, Oba Wahab Oyedotun has warned owners of the land housing the Police Mobile Training College in the community from demanding for compensation from the federal government.
Oba Oyedotun in a press conference today at his palace, said any land owners demanding for compensation on the college are enemies of the town.
The monarch ordered the aggrieved land owners, who had approached court to enforce the payment of compensation for them from the police, to withdraw the case.
According to Oba Oyedotun, over 600 new claimants (land owners) were seeking compensation in court, describing the action of the farmers as calculated attempt to disrupt the economic development of the community.
Oba Oyedotun said the land was given to the police as part of the town’s contribution, adding that the community had reached out to the aggrieved farmers but turned down entreaties to amicably resolve the issue.
He said: “The entire Ila Orangun people hereby use this opportunity to inform the government that the land housing the police college is given to the government as part of our contribution to our state and the federal government.
“Nobody should claim any form of monetary compensation from the government, either on the land or for the farm produce on the land.
“All the suits in the state High Court or any other courts should be withdrawn. We are aware that the amounts of monetary claims quoted by the individual farmer in respect of the farm produces are highly inflated and unreasonable.
“We are also aware of the fact that some people numbering about 600 present themselves as new claimants for additional compensation in court. We dissociate ourselves from these claims. Ila-Orangun indigenes would deem the actions of the farmers as intentionally calculated to forestall the development of the people of the community and scare away potential investors. Anybody who is non-native and cannot abide by our decision is free to leave our town.”
The Ejemo of Ila-Orogun, Chief Paul Ogunrinade said the community contributed money to compensate the aggrieved farmers, but was rejected.
Ogunrinade who doubles as the Chairman of the committee on the issue said: “We have met with them (farmers) severally. We held town hall meetings. They did evaluation of the land and farm produces which was outrageous.
“They thought the federal government was the one that would compensate them but the monies were contributions from people from the community both at home and in diasporas.
“The college has brought immeasurable development to the community, especially in the area of security. We don’t want to lose the college. We as a community frown at what is disturbing the government and the community.”