Owa Obokun Secures Principal’s Release as Ilesa Land Dispute Sparks Outcry

The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, has intervened to secure the release of Dr. Muheeden Popoola, Principal of the Leventis Foundation Agricultural School, Ilesa, after he was remanded in custody over an alleged land trespass linked to ongoing land disputes in the region.

Dr. Popoola was remanded to Ilesa Prison on Thursday, July 24, 2025, by Magistrate Shiyanbola of Ilesa Magistrate Court 4, following his arrest by the Osun State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Osogbo. The arrest stemmed from a complaint by Mrs. Adedigba, who alleged unlawful entry onto her property, which forms part of the arable land managed by the Leventis Foundation Agricultural School.

After responding to a police invitation, Dr. Popoola was arraigned on trespass charges and failed to promptly meet the bail terms—two sureties with N500,000 each, evidence of landed property ownership in Ilesa, three years’ tax clearance, electricity bill, and National Identification Number—thus leading to his detention.

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The day’s court hearing was the last before an adjournment, with the incident drawing swift reaction from Ijesaland’s traditional authority. Oba Haastrup, who was abroad at the time, directed prominent sons of Ijesaland to ensure Dr. Popoola’s swift release, emphasizing his commitment to upholding justice in land matters.

The monarch has recently reiterated a tough stance on land grabbing and all acts threatening local communal lands. During his installation by Governor Ademola Adeleke, Owa Obokun publicly declared zero tolerance for such practices, warning that illegal appropriation of land will not be condoned under his reign.

The incident has renewed public attention on chieftaincy, land tenure, and property disputes in Ijesaland, a region facing ongoing pressures from agricultural, mining, and developmental interests. The traditional ruler’s intervention underscores a broader resolve to protect communal assets while ensuring that disputes over land ownership are resolved within the ambits of due process and justice.