—Says, “I am not a land grabber”
—Highlights Philanthropic Contributions to Ikale Community
Okitipupa, Ondo State – In a fervent response to allegations levelled against him by protesters in Okitipupa Local Government and the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Andrew Ogunsakin, Dr. Tony Aduro has publicly defended his integrity amid a contentious land dispute.
Starnews reports that the conflict revolves around a parcel of land at Plot LH 114, Oke-Oyinbo Road, in Okitipupa town, headquarters of Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State.
Starnews had reported on Friday that protests erupted in Okitipupa local government area as members of the Hausa community rallied against an alleged eviction orchestrated by Dr. Tony Aduro, the CEO of Aduro Farms.
In response to the protests by members of the Hausa community, Hon. Andrew Ogunsakin, the Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government, accused Dr. Aduro of unlawfully seizing the said land and providing false information to the police, which warranted his visit to Abuja to honour a police invitation.
However, in a statement issued on Monday by his counsel, Brikani Mbeh, Dr. Aduro, a well-known businessman and philanthropist, emphatically refuted these claims, stating, “I am not a land grabber. I legally purchased this land from the original allottee, Barr. Sola Akintemi, who was allocated the land by the Presidential Committee on Sale and Lease of Federal Government Properties.” He added that the property has long been recognised as Federal Government land, with existing structures still present on the site.
The statement indicated that the dispute escalated when Dr. Aduro attempted to commence development on the land, facing violent opposition. “When I went to the land with my workers, we were met with thugs allegedly hired by Ogunsakin. They used dangerous weapons and violently chased us away,” Dr. Aduro recounted.
The Philanthropist expressed his intention to develop the land for the benefit of Ikale community, stating, “I want to create opportunities for the people, not take away from them.”
Contrary to the misinformation, he said, “I feel it is necessary to set the record straight about the ongoing legal matter while I pursue justice through the appropriate legal channels. Despite the challenges, I remain hopeful that the truth will prevail.”
In addition to addressing the land dispute, Dr. Aduro took the opportunity to highlight his numerous philanthropic contributions to Okitipupa community. “I have always been committed to the development of the Ikale people despite being an Ilaje man,” he stated while listing some of his notable projects:
- Solar-Powered Community Borehole Water Projects: Implemented in multiple communities within the Okitipupa local government area, costing approximately N36 million.
- Ultra-Modern Community Library, Science Lab, and Computer Lab: Funded with over N150 million, aimed at enhancing educational resources for local students.
- Health Centre/Medical Building: Built and equipped at the Okitipupa Local Government Secretariat, valued at N65 million.
- Investment in Aduro Farms: A project worth over N2.5 billion aimed at creating jobs and economic opportunities for the community.
Dr. Aduro concluded his statement by calling on the people of Okitipupa to unite against the misuse of power and support fairness and justice. “Let us rise together to resist any form of oppression,” he urged, expressing confidence that his commitment to the community, along with the belief that the truth will lead to a favourable resolution in this matter.
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