Tensions have escalated in the Ikoya area of Ondo State following the controversial arrest of Comrade Orimisan Adelokiki, a well-known activist and member of the Ikale Supreme Civil Rights Initiative.
Adelokiki was reportedly arrested after honouring a police invitation tied to a land dispute involving Mr. Adewole, the Managing Director of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc. Instead of being formally charged or released, Adelokiki was transferred to an Amotekun court in Akure and subsequently remanded at the Owo Correctional Centre.
Legal analysts and human rights organizations have condemned the arrest, describing it as a misuse of legal and security institutions to suppress dissenting voices within the community.
The incident follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling which declared the occupation of the Ikoya Palm Oil Estates by Mr. Adewole and his associates as illegal, ordering the return of the land to the Konye Family, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Niyi Akintola.
Following the judgment, community members called for the immediate evacuation of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc from the estate. Many now believe the arrest of Adelokiki is a retaliatory act orchestrated by the company to intimidate community stakeholders.
Critics allege that Mr. Adewole, rather than respecting the legal ruling, has resorted to using law enforcement, including the police and Amotekun Corps, to harass individuals supporting the court's decision.
Civil rights groups across Ondo State have demanded an independent investigation into the arrest and the wider use of force against peaceful community members. They insist that the rights of citizens must not be trampled upon in the guise of corporate interests.
This controversy recalls a similar issue in 2023, where farmers in the Oluwa Forest Reserve rejected claims of illegal occupation, asserting they had paid substantial fees to farm legally until their tenure expired.
As calls grow louder for transparency and justice, the situation remains tense, with community leaders warning that continued oppression could lead to further unrest.
