The Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone has declared the recent protest staged by some members of Igbesa Town Landowners’ Association as a sponsored one.
It stated that the protest was sponsored by some elements within the community.
some members of Igbesa Town Landowners’ Association recently staged a protest over alleged land encroachment by the zone.
But the free trade zone in its reaction signed by its spokesman, Timilehin Ajagunna, described the allegations as untrue.
The free trade zone in a statement signed by its spokesperson, vehemently refuted the allegations.
He stated that the protest was orchestrated by certain entities with ulterior motives within the Igbesa community.
Ajagunna said that the establishment of the zone dated back to the tenure of the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniels, who, in 2007, signed a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) covering a land area of 2000.407 hectares.
“Our response comes in the wake of the protest and the sponsored media publications by some unscrupulous land grabbers within the Igbesa community.
“For the record, the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, Igbesa, Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, is a joint partnership investment between the Ogun State government and Chinese investors. The establishment of the zone dates back to the tenure of the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniels, who, in 2007, signed a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) covering a land area of 2000.407 hectares.
“It is pertinent to note that this land has been under government acquisition since 1977. By 2008, the Zone was officially commissioned, leading to the establishment of several foreign companies contributing significantly to regional economic development.
“Numerous public notices through radio jingles, newspaper caveat emptor announcements, town hall meetings, and other platforms have been utilized by the state government to inform and educate the general public, especially the host communities, about the zone’s operations and developments.
“Regrettably, the sponsors of this protest are individuals with a notorious history of instigating social disorder and are habitual land grabbers. In a bid to address the longstanding land dispute in Igbesa, Ogun State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Shina Ogungbade, orchestrated a peaceful meeting on August 11, 2023.
“This gathering involved key stakeholders, including the Solicitor General, Barrister Segun Olaotan, Surveyor General Ebenezer Oladele Ewulo, and the Commander of Ogun State Task Force, ACP Mustapha Aderemi Akeem, alongside other senior staff members from the Ministry of Justice.
“The meeting brought together Ogun – Guangdong Free Trade Zone, represented by Dr. Mrs. Hafsat Oduwole Balewa, Chairperson, and eighteen aggrieved family members led by Hon. Solomon Gbadebo Ajose. During the deliberations, the Hon. Commissioner for Justice communicated that the gazette submitted by Hon. Solomon Gbadebo Ajose had been released by the Bureau of Lands & Survey Department, affirming the excision’s status.
“The Commissioner asserted that the disputed land unequivocally belongs to Ogun – Guangdong Free Trade Zone, not Igbesa Ejila – Awori Community, based on the gazette’s contents. Barrister Josiah O. Ogunwale, leading a legal team on behalf of the aggrieved families, pleaded for a fair resolution and emphasized the importance of compensation for affected families.”
