The Olota of Otta–Ikosi Ejinrin in Ikosi/Ejinrin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Oba Elias Adedapo Omoloro, has raised the alarm over the activities of impostors who are parading themselves as traditional chiefs of the town without the consent of the traditional ruler and in violation of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.

The monarch spoke against the backdrop of the development, which he described as barbaric and an affront to the constituted traditional institution as well as state government laws that define the functions of traditional rulers under the Obas and Chiefs Law of the state.

He stated that the unscrupulous activities of the group have, over the years, affected the progress, peace, and co-existence of the town, as many of them were involved in nefarious and land-grabbing activities.

Oba Omoloro explained that he had on many occasions cautioned the mischief-makers to desist from acts capable of bringing chaos and making the town ungovernable, noting that the warnings usually fell on deaf ears, as they felt untouchable.

He further added that it is absurd to learn that these mischief-makers are behind land-grabbing in the town by backing the perpetrators of these unscrupulous acts and dragging development in the area backwards.

The traditional ruler emphasised that the illegal traditional chiefs have, through nefarious acts and land-grabbing activities, disobeyed the Lagos State anti-land-grabbing law established to curtail the menace of land grabbers in the state.

He noted that he has written several letters to the state government and the police authorities, but nothing tangible has been achieved.

“Most of these illegal chiefs have nothing to do for themselves. Rather, they have created a nuisance by acting as sureties and signing for land grabbers in the communities,” he said.

The Lagos State Council of Obas had also intervened in the matter and instructed the particular illegal traditional chief to report to the traditional ruler and do the needful if he genuinely wanted to be a Baale in Otta–Ikosi Ejinrin.

Oba Omoloro maintained that part of the reason why the illegality continues is the vacuum created during the interregnum period before he ascended the throne, noting that this gap gave mischief-makers undue opportunities to perpetrate illegality.

He called on the Lagos State government and the 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. (The Guardian)

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