Owode-Onirin Market Dispute: Mayor Oshinowo Refutes Allegations, Stands Firm on Lawful Leadership
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
The Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mayor Dele Oshinowo, has firmly dismissed accusations suggesting his involvement in attacks against law enforcement officers concerning the ongoing land dispute at Owode-Onirin Market. The chairman described the allegations as baseless, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the council’s reputation.
Mayor Oshinowo, speaking to members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), expressed dismay over the spread of false information, which he claimed misrepresented facts and distorted the council’s role in addressing the issue.
“The Owode-Onirin Market is a legitimate, government-recognized entity under the jurisdiction of the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, backed by official title documents,” Mayor Oshinowo stated. According to him, the council was never informed of any legal disputes concerning the market prior to the incident.
Providing context, Oshinowo accused Akeem Ariori, whom he referred to as a notorious landgrabber, of orchestrating the unrest. The council received distress calls from traders, reporting a sudden invasion by Ariori and his associates, which led to the forceful displacement of lawful market occupants.
Oshinowo explained that upon visiting the market to assess the situation, council officials were ambushed and attacked by unidentified armed men, resulting in injuries that required hospitalization. The chairman clarified that no thugs were mobilized by the council, contrary to reports circulating online, and highlighted the state government’s swift intervention in deploying the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to restore peace.
During the operation, individuals posing as police officers were apprehended for unauthorized activities at the scene. Mayor Oshinowo questioned their credibility, emphasizing their inability to provide proper identification.
The chairman urged the media to uphold ethical standards and avoid being used to further selfish agendas, which he believes fuel misinformation and distort public perception.
Reiterating the council’s ownership of the disputed land, backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy, Oshinowo assured the public of his administration’s commitment to upholding justice, protecting citizens’ rights, and maintaining peace within the community.
“We remain steadfast in our duty to support the people and ensure that law and order prevail,” he concluded.