Gbolahan Lawal, Oniru of Iruland, has been accused of land
grabbing, intimidation and misuse of public resources.
Iruland covers Victoria Island area of Lagos state.
In a petition, the monarch was alleged to
have used thugs to forcefully invade and hijack developed and undeveloped lands
within Oniru estate.
The monarch is also accused of abducting persons found on
construction sites and detaining them illegally at his palace.
Describing Lawal’s installation as “illegal”, the
petitioners called on President Muhammadu Buhari to come to their aid.
They also appealed to people to join in signing the petition
against the monarch so as to “restore peace to the town”.
“This Oba has been forcefully invading, hijacking and
grabbing developed and undeveloped lands within the Estate, with the use of
thugs and miscreants (bearing charms, machetes, guns and other dangerous
weapons),” the petition read.
“He has constituted himself into a parallel government and
has vested himself with the authority to be the investigator, prosecutor, judge
and enforcer over our properties by invading and sealing off legally and
validly purchased properties without recourse to the protection afforded us by
the laws of Lagos State and Nigeria.
“Legitimate owners are now being harassed, intimidated and
beaten up. In the spirit of running a parallel government, the so-called Oba is
also abducting persons found on construction sites and illegally detaining them
at the palace.
“This ugly development has brought about a sense of
insecurity in a once safe and peaceful community. We are now worried about the
safety of our lives, properties and investments as we now find ourselves in a
situation where the new Oba has assumed executive, judiciary and legislative
functions.
“Please help residents as they call on the president of
Nigeria to dethrone and charge to court the illegitimate Oba. They need your
signature and support. The power of unity, peace, and progress through this
petition can restore peace to the town. Sign and share if you believe in the
power of you.
“Please sign and share the Petition for President Muhammadu
Buhari and world leaders to intervene in the illegal installation, criminality and
violence of Gbolahan Lawal as king of Oniru Kingdom in Lagos, Nigeria.”
Also, in an open letter addressed to Babajide Sanwo-Olu,
governor of Lagos, and signed by “Concerned Residents of Oniru Private Estate”,
the residents said before the coronation of Lawal, there had been no issues in
the relatively “peaceful and harmonious” estate.
“It is unlawful, uncustomary and illegal for the new Oba to
be challenging the acts of his predecessors from which we derive our
proprietary rights. His predecessors acted pursuant to the authority of the
Family as a whole,” they wrote.
“More so, sealing up of properties within Lagos State is an
executive action that can only be done by your office or its agents/personnel
pursuant to existing laws and/or a court order.
“The Oba is neither an agent of your office acting pursuant
to existing law which permits him to seal up any premises nor is he acting
pursuant to any court order. The Oba’s actions are illegal.”
Lawal, a former commissioner for agriculture in Lagos, was crowned
king in June after the demise of Abiodun Idowu Oniru, his predecessor, in 2019.
Before his appointment, there was controversy over who
occupies the seat after the death of the previous monarch.
The fight for the throne was between Adesegun, a son of the
late ruler, who was reportedly endorsed by some chiefs, and Hakeem Ajasa, a
retired police officer also endorsed by a part of the royal family.
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