By Ranti Thomas
Tension has escalated in the Ajah and Okun-Ajah chieftaincy dispute as members of the Olumegbon royal family accused the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, of вмешment in their traditional leadership process.
The fresh claims were made by the family’s General Secretary, who alleged that the crisis intensified after disagreements over the selection of a new monarch for the community.
According to him, he was detained for over a month at a police facility in Lagos following his opposition to the emergence of a particular candidate as Oba-elect. He claimed the detention was carried out without proper legal backing.
The elder further stated that he was later arraigned in court on charges related to public disturbance, but was granted bail, with the case still pending before the court.
He also alleged that while in custody, pressure was mounted on him to endorse the selection of the Oba-elect, a move he resisted, insisting it went against the wishes of the family.
After regaining freedom, he claimed to have discovered documents suggesting he attended and supported a family meeting he never participated in, raising suspicions of forgery.
According to him, a forensic review later confirmed that the signature attributed to him in the document was not genuine, further deepening the dispute within the royal family.
The family has since petitioned relevant authorities, including the police and Lagos State Government, calling for a full investigation into the alleged manipulation of the selection process.
They also raised concerns over what they described as external interference in family affairs, including issues related to land ownership in Ajah.
The dispute has now taken a legal dimension, with the family indicating readiness to challenge the installation of the Oba-elect in court if necessary.
The development highlights the growing tension surrounding traditional leadership in the area, as stakeholders continue to push for transparency and fairness.
As of now, there has been no official response from Oba Akiolu’s camp regarding the allegations, leaving the matter unresolved as investigations and legal actions continue.