Court Orders Akinyele Local Government to Return 12 Plots of Land to Pastor Bode A. John and 11 Others
The Oyo State High Court has reaffirmed its previous judgment, directing Akinyele Local Government and the landlords of the affected plots to return possession of 12 plots of land at Ajorosun Garden City, Isabiyi Housing Estate, Moniya, Ibadan, to Pastor Bode A. John and 11 others. The court emphasized that its ruling from five years ago must be upheld.
In Suit No. I/129/2018, the court had, on May 19, 2020, declared Pastor Bode A. John and 11 others as the rightful owners of the disputed plots, which had been acquired from Akinyele Local Government. The court also ruled that the land had not been lawfully allocated to any other party, affirming that Pastor Bode A. John was the rightful owner.
Delivering its judgment, the court stated:
"I find that the claimant’s right over, on, and in the lots still subsists. Consequently, any allocation of the same land by the defendant to another party is of no effect and is illegal. I answer the question and resolve it in the negative against the defendant."
The court further ruled that all claims by Pastor Bode A. John and the 11 others (Leg A, Leg B, and Leg C) were valid and granted as requested.
With this latest directive, Akinyele Local Government and the landlords involved are expected to comply by returning possession of the land to its rightful owners.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Adeoluwa King, CEO of Abletom King Ltd, representing the landowners, revealed that despite multiple attempts to resolve the dispute amicably with Akinyele Local Government, no agreement was reached. This necessitated the enforcement of the court order on February 20, 2025.
He further disclosed that in 2024, he visited Akinyele Local Government eight times—even after the court’s judgment—seeking a resolution. During these visits, he met with the Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman and Alhaja Wuraola Tijani, who oversees Estate and Surveying. She had promised to provide five replacement plots but failed to fulfill the commitment. Instead, the process was allegedly manipulated, making compromise impossible.
Despite this, Mr. Adeoluwa King assured that, on behalf of the rightful owners, he would be considerate toward the current occupants. He emphasized that there is still an opportunity for negotiations and regularization, provided the occupants meet the necessary terms.
The enforcement exercise took place at Ajorosun Garden City, Isabiyi Housing Estate, Moniya, Ibadan. It was carried out peacefully under the supervision of court bailiffs, with the presence of mobile police officers and representatives of Abletom King Ltd.