By: Oluwatosin Adesola
The aged-long communal crisis rocking two communities in Ikare Akoko over the ownership of the large parcel of land along Akungba-Ikare Road has finally been resolved through an Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism.
The two warring communities Igbede and Odoso in Ikare Akoko, had been at loggerhead over the large parcel of land along Akungba- Ikare road for many decades until the supreme court settled the case in favour of Odoso community in 2002.
It has been difficult to execute the court’s judgement for the past eighteen years as a result of violence on the land which led to loss of lives and property.
Having not satisfied with the lingering situation, the Olukare of Ikare, Obs Akadiri Saliu Momoh intervened by calling from a truce.
Oba Akadiri therefore set up a Peace Agreement Committee under Retired Justice S.A. Sidiq to profer solution to the crisis.
Briefing the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Ajo in local palance, (comprising of the Olukate and the Ikare Council of Chiefs) at the Olukare’s palace on Wednesday, Justice Sidiq said that during the resolution and peace agreement process, the two communities agreed that the ownership of the land belongs to Odoso community.
Similarly, the area should be known and called Odoso-Ile while all those who acquired land from Igbede community should go back to Odoso for regularisation of the ownership title of the said land.
Equally the demand of the people if Odoso from Igbede to rebuild their burnt houses were seen as an impossible task and as such, Odoso agreed to forgo the demand.
Meanwhile, the Eledo of Edo, High Chief Richard Aliu Aladejana has expressed joy at the peace agreement.
Chief Aladejana who was visibly happy stated that it is a thiing of joy for him to see that peace has come to reign after the long years of hostility between the two brother communities.
The Eledo who was full of appreciation for the Olukare commended the Peace Committee for their handling of the situation.
The Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Saliu Momoh IV while reacting to the outcome of the agreement commended the the two communities for seeing the need to come to term with the fact that peace is sacrosanct.
The Olukare also commended the committee for a job well done.
Speaking to the press on the issue, the chairman of the peace committee, Retired Honourable Justice Sidiq said he was happy the people cooperated with the committee and saw the need for peace to reign among them.
The Peace Agreement Committee had Honourable Justice S.A. Sidiq as it chairman, a lawyer, Barrister Omotan Ogunmodede as the secretary.
Other members were Professor Aladesanmi Oshodi, the Grand Mufti of Ondo State, Sheikh Surajudeen Batuta, the Sashere of Okoja, Chief Olatunji Fasasi, Chief Ogunsusi Olode Agbede, Prince Isiaka Balo.
The ocsssion was witnessed by sons and daughters of the communities and the people of Ikare.