The Federal Government housing project in Akure, Ondo State capital, may eventually be listed on the long list of failed government’s projects in the country if the be face-off between the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi and the project contractor is not resolved fast.
The contractor, Otunba Ademola Akin-Benson, has therefore called on President Mohammadu Buhari and Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to call Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi to order over alleged continuous harassment of workers with juju at the project site.
The project first suffered a setback in May, when the presence of traditional worshippers at the project site to perform an annual ritual made workers flee to avoid being harmed.
Again, when work resumed on Monday, traditional worshippers stormed the site and chased the workers away while performing some rituals.
Otunba Akin-Benson, who spoke with journalists in Akure, accused Oba Aladelusi of using the herbalists to hamper the progress of the project.
Akin-Benson insisted that the land belonged to the Federal Government, saying all effort to make peace with the Akure monarch failed.
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He said the Certificate of Occupancy of the land has been given to him (Medaville Building & Construction Co. Ltd) since July 16, 2009 but the Deji is still claiming ownership of the estate.
According to him: “I was astonished that despite the case of a criminal trespass before the Ondo State High Court, the Imperial Majesty came and threatened us. They brought juju and charms to disrupt the federal government housing project in Alagbaka. It is quite unfortunate.
“The Deji of Akure should respect himself, the people of Akure and the Federal Government of Nigeria. We have done everything to make a peaceful resolution with him but has failed.
“On several occasions, he has sent thugs, ogboni confraternity and the Onimales. They have put charms on the land and asked the Engineers to leave site.
“We are appealing the Federal Government and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to call the Deji to order. He has poured something on the land through some native doctors.”
But the Akure monarch, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Michael Adeyeye, said he would not want to stop any meaningful development in his kingdom.
The Deji of Akure said the allegation of planting charms or being harassed by traditional worshippers was diversionary, total falsehood and an attempt for the contractor cover-up for his inefficiencies and criminal acts against Akure Community.
“You can find out that he claimed that the said land was acquired by the State Government at about forty years ago. The issue here is between him and the community which Deji represent as the head.
“It is true that part of the land was acquired for the purpose of low cost Housing Estate but it is now a case of encroachment beyond what was acquired. To be frank with you, there is a part of the land being encroached by one Mr. Benson Akin and those areas are lands of traditional importance to the Akure People where prayers are offered for the good of the land.
“We challenge Mr. Akin Benson and his company to come up with evidence of how many hectares were legally acquired and how many hectares he is currently laying claim. Akure people cannot afford to give out their inheritance with traditional importance to anyone who wants to fraudulently acquire it under the disguise of working with the Federal Government.”
