Residents of Iton Agan Riverine Settlement at Liverpool Road, Apapa, Lagos State have accused Mr Babafemi Odekunle, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of conniving with one individual to cause crisis within the community.
Baale of the community, Chief Akinyemi Nelson Ikuesan and some other leaders leveled the accusations in a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, against the Area ‘L’ Police Command, Alakija, Lagos and ASP Odekunle.
The petition, dated 29 May, 2024 with Ref: BE/SC/LA/ITON-001/2024 and signed by the Principal Counsel to the petitioners, Chief (Dr) Benson Enikuomehin, was acknowledged by the AIG, Zone 2, Lagos same day.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Area Commander, Area G, Nigeria Police Force were also served copies of the petition.
ASP Odekunle was accused of acting in cahoots with one Abiye Akinmuleya (aka Ajase) to cause series of crises and commotions in Iton Agan Community, with the aid of the Area ‘L’ Police Command, Alakija.
As stated in the petition, Akinmuleya on 6 August, 2018, caused major communal criss leading to the dispersal of the inhabitants of the Iton Agan, including the descendants of the original settlers of the community.
The bone of contention, it was stated, was that Akinmuleya wanted to be the Baale of Iton Agan and, with the alleged support of ASP Odekunle, was harassing, intimidating and subjugating the community leaders.
The Iton Agan community leaders called on the police authority, through the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, to put a rein on the alleged intimidation of the community and its people.
“We are solicitors to the Baale of Iton Agan Community (Chief Akinyemi Nelson Ikuesan) and other leaders of the said Iton Agan Community (hereinafter called ‘our client’) on whose instructions we address this urgent petition to your exalted office for immediate and decisive action.
“Iton Agan Riverine Settlement, opposite Liverpool Road, Apapa Area of Lagos State, was founded by the progenitors of our client in 1905, a period above 100 years ago.
“The first settlors of the community were Pa Thomas Agunbiade, Emmanuel Olowolagba Ikuesan, Ebenezer Akinbami and Moses Egbayelo.
“This community had existed before the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914 and the Independence of Nigeria in 1960. The major occupation of the people is mainly fishing.
“Four different baales had ruled the community from 1905 till 2023 when the incumbent, Chief Akinyemi Nelson Ikuesan, was made the baale.
“The community is not under any traditional ruler whatsoever in Lagos State. It is autonomous and not subservient to any traditional institution.
“In 1984, one Moses Akinmuleya (who died in 1999) came with his children namely: Toluwalase Akinmuleya, Bosede Akinmuleya, Akin Akinmuleya, Abayomi Akinmuleya and Abiye Akinmuleya to Iton Agan Community to carry on fishing activities.
“At this time, Chief Ethiopia Ikuesan was the Baale of Iton Agan community. For Moses Akinmuleya to be accepted into the community, he brought a crate of drink (Ogogoro) and 12 Naira for the community elders and leaders.
“The said Moses Akinmuleya died in 1999 and was taken back to Etikan Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State for burial.
“His family was not one of the original settlors in Iton Agan. His last son, by name Abiye Akinmuleya, was about seven years of age when his father came to Iton Agan in 1984.
“The said Abiye Akinmuleya (aka Ajase) has now constituted himself into a nuisance, causing crises and commotion in Iton Agan community, with the aid of the police at Area ‘L’, Alakija.
“Abiye Akinmuleya, on 6 August, 2018, caused major communal crises that led to the dispersal of the inhabitants of the Iton Agan, including the descendants of the original settlers.
“His contention was that he must willy nilly be made the Baale of Iton Agan. He has now found succour in Mr. Odekunle Babafemi, ASP who will at his beck and call harass, intimate and subjugate the community leaders because of the ambition of Abiye Akinmuleya (aka Ajase).
“The community has not known peace since the inordinate ambition of Akinmuleya surfaced with the active support of the police at Alakija, especially Odekunle Babafemi in 2018.
“Mr. Odekunle Babafemi ASP has constituted himself into a terror and menacing officer hunting and harassing the innocent people of Iton Agan who Abiye Akinmuleya wants to conquer by arms and thuggery.
“Mr. Odekunle Babafemi is the security arm of the warlord named and called Abiye Akinmuleya (a.k.a) Ajase,” Enikuomehin stated in the petition.
The petitioners called for the intervention of the police authority, especially the AIG, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, alleging that “the shenanigans, intimidation and harassment of the Baale of Iton Agan and the leaders have resumed again.
“Mr. Odekunle Babafemi is now hunting for the people in order to hurl them into his private prison at Alakija.
“We believe the institution of the Police is not created to front for the inordinate ambition of any person.
“The issue of chieftaincy or leadership of a community are not criminal in nature for which Odekunle Babafemi, ASP should become the investigator, prosecutor, adjudicator and ultimate final authority.
“The action of this police officer belittles and ridicules the integrity of the police force. We urge your office to investigate and interrogate him as to what are his interest in the Baaleship of Iton Agan.
“Our clients are now hiding in locations outside Lagos State to save them from the almighty hands of Abiye Akinmuleya and his generalissimo Odekunle Babafemi of Area ‘L’ Police Command in Lagos State.
“We have absolute confidence in your office (that controls Zone II, of the Nigeria Police Force, supervising Lagos and Ogun states) to do what is just, fair and equitable in the circumstances.
“The police are meant to protect lives and property and not to destroy same. Mr. Odekunle Babafemi is working strenuously against this avowed mission of the police by his conduct and action at Iton Agan.
“We shall present our clients to make statement to this effect as soon as we receive communication from your office.
“We plead with your office to stop the invasion of our clients’ community by the nefarious acts being perpetrated by Mr. Odekunle Babafemi and his cohorts.
“We plead with your Command to save the lives and property of our clients from annihilation by your timely intervention,” Chief Enikuomehin stated in the petition.
