••• Orders Immediate Vacation
A fresh wave of controversy has erupted in the Alagbaka Extension of Akure, Ondo State, as the Olokunjuwon family of Umelu community has officially declared landlords and property owners in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) as trespassers, following a Supreme Court decision that solidified the family’s ownership of a 95.13-hectare expanse of land.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Prince Adegboyega Olokunjuwon, Thomas Ojo, and Prince Olusola Osore, the leaders of the Umelu community called on all current occupants—landlords and property owners alike—to vacate the land or initiate negotiations with the family to remain on the property legally.
Court Judgments Back Olokunjuwon Family
According to the family, the legal dispute over the ownership of the vast parcel of land has been conclusively settled by a chain of judicial rulings:
High Court Victory (2017): In Suit No: AK/173/2012, delivered on January 5, 2017, the Ondo State High Court declared the Olokunjuwon family as the rightful holders entitled to statutory occupancy over the land in question. The court ordered them to take immediate and exclusive possession of the land.
Appeal Court Affirmation (2022): The Court of Appeal in Akure, in Appeal No: CA/AK/105/2017, upheld the High Court’s decision in a judgment delivered on August 9, 2022, rejecting all claims from opposing parties.
Supreme Court Finality (2025): The Supreme Court, on April 4, 2025, in Appeal No: SC/CV/241/2023, dismissed an application for leave to appeal the earlier judgment, calling the Appeal Court’s ruling “unassailable.” The ruling, delivered by Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju on behalf of a five-man panel, effectively shut the door on any further legal challenge by the Judgment Debtors and their associates.
Landlords’ Claims Dismissed as “Dead on Arrival”
The family accused the self-identified “Landlords and Residents Association” of misleading the public and resisting lawful execution of the judgment. An attempt by these landlords to join the appeal process as interested parties was reportedly dismissed “in limine” by the Court of Appeal, which described their efforts as “dead on arrival” due to procedural failures.
Despite citing a pending appeal (SC/CV/1151/2022) at the Supreme Court, the family clarified that the referenced appeal has no bearing on the subject matter of ownership already conclusively determined in their favour.
They cautioned the public not to be misled by the group’s narrative, stating:
“The so-called members of the landlords and residents’ association and their vendors have been declared trespassers by the court and remain so. They are bound by the Supreme Court’s decision in SC/CV/241/2023.”
“They should not insist on carrying oxygen around the coffin,” the statement added metaphorically, warning that the era of unauthorized occupation is over.
Final Warning Issued
The Olokunjuwon family urged all illegal occupants to heed the court-backed notices served and either vacate immediately or initiate negotiations for continued stay, stressing that failure to do so would attract legal consequences.
They concluded with a warning:
“The Apex Court has spoken. Any further occupation or public misinformation is a deliberate affront against the rule of law and an attempt to frustrate the Olokunjuwon family’s right to enjoy the fruits of their judgment.”
Public Advised to Stay Clear
Members of the public have been advised to disregard any contrary claims by the so-called residents’ group and to avoid any property transactions in the area without express consent from the Olokunjuwon family.
