AJAH
CRISIS: OLUMEGBON ARRESTED OVER THE DEATH OF 5
DETAILS
OF THE MESSY KILLINGS
“I
WAS NOT ARRESTED”…..OLUMEGBON
You
will recall that sequel to the last crisis which occurred in Ajah on Saturday
the 25th of May 2013, with a death toll of five people (One from the Ajah
youth’s camp and four from the Olumegbon’s camp); the high Chief of Lagos,
Chief Fatai Olumegbon who is alleged to be the brain behind the regular crisis
that has been rocking the community for over ten years now, was arrested and
detained at the Area F command on Sunday the 26th of May 2013.
when the market women protested
In our effort to balance our story with the parties involved we set out to get the reaction of Chief Fatai Olumegbon but we couldn’t reach him. Our reporter later spoke to the Olumegbon family’s spoke person, Peter Fowoyo who narrated Chief Fatai Olumegbon’s side of the story to us. He said “Chief Fatai Olumegbon was not arrested as speculated but was only invited by the Police for interrogation in order to state his own side of the story to the allegations that he was behind the crisis in Ajah hence his presence at the Police Command in Ikeja. He added that the respected high Chief in Lagos can’t stoop so low to sponsor crisis ; or be at the front burner of anything that will hinder the peace of Ajah and Lagos at large because he’s peace loving man and a law abiding citizen of Nigeria. He further added that according to the judgment declared at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja under Justice S.M.A Belgore the Ajah land belongs to the Olumegbon family hence there was no point for them to embrace violence within or outside the community. He maintained that the last crisis of the 25th May 2013 had been foreseen by Chief Fatai Olumegbon whom according to him had received call threats from some youths in Ajah a day before that they were coming to attack him; and he wrote a letter to inform Ajiwe Police command and copied Area J and the Commissioner of Police as well. Later it came as a surprise when the DPO and Area J commander said they never received any letter in respect of that while commissioner of police confirmed receipt of the letter. Peter Fowoyo while still speaking on behalf of the Olumegbons alleged that one Mr. Kazeem Salami aka ‘All-round’ (as he’s fondly called) led some thugs to attack him on that fateful day because he (Kazeem) felt Olumegbon was behind the crisis in Ajah.”
ALHAJI
KAZEEM SALAMI REACTS………….
We
get in touch with Alhaji Kazeem Salami, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Kaz Oil and energy spoke to us stating his own side of the story. According to
the owner of the three filling stations (Kaz Oil) in Ajah and its environs, he
said he had no business with Chief Fatai Olumegbon because he felt they had
nothing in common. “I’m into Oil and he’s into land business that never
belonged to him or his family. When you came to this Ilaje branch of my filling
station did you see any thug here? Or will I have sent my staff (attendants) that
are busy attending to costumers to attack him or what? Anyone who is familiar with land business in
Lagos should be familiar with their trend of selling a land to two or more
people and set thugs to disturb the land owners demanding money otherwise called
‘Owo Omonile’.
According
to Kazeem, Olumegbon’s modus operandi in business stems on violence. I have my
business and am a law abiding citizen of Nigeria. Though, I’m from the
Baba-Isale chieftaincy family and my family isn’t part of those whom he dragged to court or allegedly won land from and we aren’t in
the same line of business; so tell me why should I harbor thugs or attack him.
I’ll advise him to tell the whole world whatever it is that he has against me, instead
of fabricating lies to malign my reputation.
When
we asked his views on the issue of the judgment won in favour of the
Olumegbons family at the Supreme Court
with Chief Olumegbon being given the legal proclamation to be the traditional
ruler and over lord of Ajah and Okun-Ajah, Lagos. He smiled… “I think the case is still in
court because the court judgment against Ojupon and Ogunsemo family has been
challenged by Rev (Eng.) Olatunde Ayotunde Alase because those he claimed to be
the defendants (ApenuOlatunji, SuleOgun-semo and SuleTijaniOjupon) case did
that on their own whom the two above family(Ojupon and Ogunsemo) disassociate
themselves from . Winning a case between you and two families out of over forty
five families isn’t victory personified. I will advise that you go to Ajah town
and meet with the elders or the families concerned for more details”…. He
concluded
THE
ELDERS SPEAK……….
We
set into town and we met one Mr. Ibrahim Olokonlawho an indigene of Ajah
(Olokonla family). He said Fatai Olumegbon needs to be more enlightened by his
fore-fathers on the history of Ajah and Lagos in general. He added that
Olumegbon had no connection with Ajah since its existence 300 years ago and
that Ajah used to be a peaceful town not until 2003 when Fatai Olumegbon came into Ajah with his trouble
and thugs. I want to remind him because am sure he doesn’t know about the
Tribunal of Enquiry in 1976 witnessed by one Mr. Isiaka Oluwa who gave evidence
in the box that among the chieftaincy titles in Lagos Olumegbon family had no
land in Lagos. The second witness in the Tribunal box was late Yesufu Kalifo
Olumegbon (predecessors of Fatai Olumegbon) former head of white cap Chiefs
never opposed/debunked the statement by Isiaka Oluwa in court. In fact, history
have it that where they built their family house (Iga Olumegbon) is owned by
the Aromire family and he Fatai Olumegbon claimed to own Ajah and Okun-Ajah.
What is the connection of Olumegbon family to over 45 families in Ajah. He said
even the judgment he claimed he got at the Supreme Court against Ojupon and
Ogunsemo was not genuine because those who represented the two families were
not recognized by the two families also the judgment was delivered by three
justices instead of Five seating on the case.
Another
man who spoke to us was Chief Sulaimon Alaagba said Fatai Olumegbon is behind
the crisis and mayhem in Ajah . He has no connection with any of the over 45
families in Ajah because he’s from Lagos Island. Let him present geniu document
and gazette. Even Lagos State Oba’s and chiefs law 1957 under the Colonia area
still adopted by Lagos State 1967 gazette Ojupon, Ogunsemo and other ten king
makers family as ruling house in Ajah.
Alagba
recalled an incident which occurred on the 8th of May this year which claimed
the lives of two boys, Qudus Adebayo and Friday Ejebieke from Ebonyi State
allegedly to have been shot by FataiOlumegbon thugs, Abass and Semiu popularly
called Ese-Semiu and we reported to the police which the case was transferred
to Ikeja police command. When we got to the police command Area J commander
asked us (FataiOlumegbon and complainant) to meet on the 18th of May at the
Lagos State Commissioner of police’s office and asked Fatai to produce those
two boys allegedly shot which he agreed to produce them. But it came as a
surprise to Commissioner of Police and Area J commander on the 18th of May as
Fatai didn’t come nor provided the culprits but sent his elder brother, Sikiru
Olumegbon. He was reportedly said to have bought power-bikes for those boys whom
they used to attack people of Ajah. He claimed not to be a thug then he should
please identify MumuniBalogun, AbijaRafiu, AbassBahorun (AK 47),
KazeemOlokodano, Muri, Sunday Folori, Tunde Sir Yellow, Pencil, Aliu and others
living in his abattoir in, Ajah. Are they all his family (Olumegbon).Lastly, he
claimed four of his family members was killed, he should please explain who
those boys found in his house by the police are? And he should state the time
they were killed, what they were doing there and why the cops came to inspect his (Fatai) house?” he rounded off
In
addition our findings also revealed that one of those killed, Idowu Olumegbon
was Chief Fatai Olumegbon’s elder brother, Kayode Olumegbon the chairman of the
National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Ajah chapter. While, the State
executives of NURTW had dissolved Ajah NURTW over the last crisis.
At
this stage it is a glaring fact that the crisis between the youths in Ajah and
Olumegbon has gone beyond the obeisance of cultural and religious values.
We
think it's about time the Government finds a lasting solution to the constant
crises in Ajah.
AJAH
COMMUNITY APPRECIATES LAGOS STATE GOVT AND IGP………….
In
a related development, the Baale of Ajah Land, Alhaji Murisiku Oseni Ojupon
spoke to us recently and was full of praises to the Lagos state government, the
Inspector general of Police and the Commissioner of Police of Lagos state for
their timely intervention in curbing the lingering crisis within the community.
He added that if this bold step had been taken earlier, the crisis which has
been on for over 10 years would have been a thing of the past.
The
Baale who was full of immense gratitude however appealed to the Federal and
Lagos State government and the Nigeria Police force to treat the case fairly to
enable the residents of his community to sleep with their two eyes closed. He
said most of the people had fled the town because of the crisis which has
claimed lot of lives and properties worth millions of naira destroyed as well.
He added that whenever the crisis occur the alleged Olumegbon’s thugs seize the
opportunity of the crisis to dispossess residents and market sellers of their
possessions and wares. The chief further implored the residents of Ajah to go
about their daily business and work peacefully as the Mopols and Police are all
over the town to maintain law and order.
The
Ajah youths leader, Taye Olowolayemo who spoke as well, was full of gratitude
to the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police force over the arrest of
Fatai Olumegbon according to him, since the arrest of the man last Sunday there
has been peace in the town. He urged the government to ensure that the man
faces the law after thorough investigations.
AJAH
MARKET TRADERS HOLD RALLY……..
On
the 30th of May 2013 the traders in Ajah under the auspices of Association of
Nigeria Markets Women and Men of Ajah Ultra-Modern Market stage a rally.
Commending the Lagos State Government for its intervention in the last crisis,
they urge police authorities to ensure adequate security in the area. The
placard-carrying traders, singing solidarity songs, stormed the Ajah market as
early as 10am for the rally. They bemoaned their fate in the hands of the
hoodlums. Their leader, who is also the Baba Oja of Ajah market, Alhaji Rasaq
Odunlami, said “we traders have been the target whenever violence erupts as a
result of supremacy battle between the hoodlums, which usually results in
looting, robbery and killing of his members (Market women).
THE
LAST CRISIS IN RETROSPECT……….
The
last crisis started at 7:28am when four boys with machetes came to Ajah field
opposite Alesh Hotel,Ajah to attack a young footballer popularly called,Yobo
but he was saved by a guy, Popo who sat
beside Yobo who identified one of the boys who came to attack Yobo and asked
him what the problem was and he replied that its this boy beside you,Yobo we
came to attack. and a death toll of five people(1 from Ajah 4
from OlumegbonThugs). The fight started when four boys with machetes came to
Ajah field opposite Alesh Hotel,Ajah to attack a young footballer popularly
called,Yobo but he was savedby a guy,called Popo who was sitting beside Yobo
who identified one of the boys who came to attack Yobo and asked him what the
problem was and he replied that its this boy beside you,Yobo we came to attack.
When Yobo heard that he started running towards Ilaje bus-stop for his life. As
Yobo ran to Ilaje some boys standing at the bus stop started throwing stones
and bottles at the boys with cutlasses. The intervention of the boys in Ilaje
was supported by some Ajah youths which led to a fracas between Ajah Youths and
alleged employed thugs by Olumegbon. This led to a complete closure of the high
way of Epe express way that morning as the both warring parties started throwing
stones and bottles at each other. When it became glaring that Ajah youths are
gaining upper hands the Thugs had to go and reinforce, they came back armed
with guns and started shooting they chased Ajah youths to Ayetoro street and
Alesh hotel road. At that point the Mopol deployed to Ajah and Ilaje since late
last year to maintain peace between the two communities rushed to the
highway/Alesh to chase the thugs away in order to maintain peace. It was a
surprised when the Mopols running back to Ajah town and asked the boys (Ajah
youths) to go back to their houses.
Later on some Ajah youths came
back with bottles and machetes to retaliate, people started running.
Unfortunately for the boys (thugs) four of them fell and the boys was machete
to death by the warring youths.
After
the death of those two Some Ilaje youths also seized the opportunity to attack
Ajah youths this development has always been the trend whenever the crisis;
between Ajah Youths and alleged Olumegbon’s thugs occurs reasons being that Ajah
is at the centre. At this moment over 20 soldiers have been deployed to ajah
while some residents have started fleeing the area for fear of reprisals by the
thugs at any time.
When
our reporter visited Ajah to confirm. We
got in touch with the boy amidst the controversy, Taoheebpopupalrykown as Yobo
who narrated his own side of the story. He said “I was on the field that
fateful day waiting for some of my colleagues to start training that day while
some were on the field already. Suddenly I noticed a guy called Kazeem moving
close to where we sat on the field with anger on his face before one of senior
colleague, Popo who knew the boy asked him to what is the matter what he doing
here and he reply that it was me they came to attack and when I look at his
back I saw some three boys coming with machete and started running for my life.
It was when I get to Ilaje bus-stop some boys who know stop and ask me what is
chasing me and they those still chasing toward their side with cutlass and this
boys at Ilaje started throwing stone and bottle at them while me went home” did
you issues with this boys before. “no and I don’t know them except that Kazeem
which I use to see around Ajah bus-stop and we don’t talk”.
Our
finds shows that one of the boy who died is Chief FataiOlumegbon elder brother
who is a Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Ajah
branch join the alleged thugs to fight Ajah town.
After
the crisis Head of White cap Chiefs in Lagos, Chief FataiOlumegbon on Sunday,
26th of May, 2013 in his Ajah Palace, Lagos was arrested over the connection
with the recent crisis which occurred in Ajah
on Saturday the 25th of May 2013 claiming five lives.
Some
residents confided in our reporter on Tuesday 28th of May 2013 Olumegbon was
arrested for allegedly harboring some of the youths involved in the last clash
and with four dead bodies were found in his Ajah Palace.
It
was learnt that the policemen stormed the Olumegbon’s palace on Monday the 27th
of May 2013 afternoon (after his arrest the day before)with him ( Olumegbon
)and conducted a thorough search.
A
source, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said, “On
Monday, about 13 police patrol vehicles stormed Olumegbon’s palace and searched
the whole palace following a tip off that some of the youths involved in
Sunday’s fracas were hiding in his palace.
“The policemen were about 50 in
number because his loyalists would have prevented them from arresting him if
the policemen were not many in number. No suspect was found in his palace but a
Ghana must go bag was taken away by the police from his Palace which no one can
ascertain what is inside. Olumegbon has been transferred to the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja and investigations are ongoing.”
It
was learnt that policemen embarked on raids and had arrested some other
suspects.
above are pictures person kill, injured and properties destroyed
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