The Olurin, Apena, Ogundele, Dosunmu, and Olayanju families of Modeolu and Aguro quarters in Ilaro, Ogun State, have raised serious concerns over what they describe as unwarranted police involvement in a purely civil land dispute already pending before a competent court of law.
The families disclosed that the dispute related to farmland in the affected communities where valuable economic crops including cocoa, palm trees, teak and gmelina plantations were allegedly destroyed in July 2025 by armed individuals reportedly acting on behalf of one Mr. Gbenga Agunbiade.
According to the families, the invaders stormed the farms wielding machetes, firearms, and charms, causing extensive destruction and threatening the safety of farmers in the area.
They said following the incident, the matter was formally reported to Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the paramount ruler of Yewaland, and subsequently to the Ogun State Government.
The Ogun State Ministry of Justice was said to have, thereafter, referred the matter on August 1, 2025, to the Ogun State Task Force on Land Grabbing and Other Related Offences for investigation.
The Task Force effected arrest on the farm and subsequently, bail was granted.
However, despite the steps, the dispute, it was said, later became the subject of a civil suit filed at the Customary Court, Ilaro (Suit No. ESG/144/2025) by members of the Agunbiade family against representatives of the Olurin family.
The case came up for hearing on November 26, 2025, but the plaintiffs were absent, and the court adjourned the matter to March 2026.
The families have therefore expressed shock that while the matter remained actively before the Customary Court, an invitation letter dated March 6, 2026, was issued from the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Lagos, requesting Mr. Kayode Olurin, Sebili Ahmed, Kayode Kangide, Sunday Osho to appear for questioning over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
In a statement released on behalf of the affected families, the invitation has been described as an attempt to criminalize a civil land dispute and use police machinery to intimidate parties in a matter already under judicial consideration.
Legal authorities have repeatedly cautioned against such practices.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria in McLaren v. Jennings (2003) 3 NWLR (Pt. 808) 470 held that the Police have no role in resolving civil disputes between private parties and should limit their involvement to the prevention and detection of crime.
The families have therefore formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police to review the circumstances surrounding the involvement of the Zone 2 Police Command and to direct the officers concerned to withdraw from the matter in order to preserve the integrity of the judicial process.
According to the statement, while the families maintain the highest respect for the Nigeria Police Force and its constitutional role, they believe the present development represents an unfortunate attempt to misuse law enforcement institutions in a dispute that is clearly civil in nature.
The families reaffirm their commitment to peaceful resolution of the dispute through the courts and lawful institutions of the state. However, they have also indicated that should police interference continue, they would be compelled to seek appropriate judicial remedies to protect their constitutional rights and the sanctity of the judicial process.
They have called on all parties involved to respect the rule of law and allow the courts to determine the matter without intimidation or external pressure.
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