The Oniworo family in Ogun State has called for the prompt intervention of the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi on the alleged threat of lives of their family members by some land grabbers who were reportedly working for The Apostolic Church Nigeria.

Oniworo village falls within Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State and is located along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, with the popular Foursquare Gospel Church Camp as the nearest landmark.

It was gathered that the Oniworo land was bequeathed to the late Mrs. Ayisatu Efunolola Popoola (nee Bamgbopa) as the only child and daughter of the late Pa Abraham Bamgbopa among other properties in Ogun State.
The representative of the Ayisatu Efunolola Popoola family, Prof. Oluwatoyin Muse Johnson Popoola condemned the criminal act especially the involvement of the ancient respected denomination, The Apostolic Church.

Popoola, a professor of Forensic Accounting and Financial Criminology, who claimed that the Federal government paid a certain sum of money at a time as compensation to their forefather when part of it was used to construct the popular Lagos Ibadan expressway, is demanding for justice and prompt intervention by the government.

His words: “The Oniworo land was divided by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. It is also on record that the Federal Government paid compensation for the land to the late Chief Musitafa Akanbi Popoola on behalf of the family and all family members received their share accordingly. The said land, divided into Oniworo 1 and Oniworo 2 measuring 14.221 acres and 10.473 acres respectively, was bequeathed to the seven (7) surviving children of the late Madam Ayisatu Efunolola Popoola (nee Bamgbopa). They are listed in order of age: Mrs. Moriamo Buraimo, Mrs. Sinotu Shogbanmu, Chief Musitafa Akanbi Popoola, Mrs. Jarinatu Popoola, Mr. Momodu Popoola, Mr. Karimu Popoola and Mrs. Simiatu Popoola. The land had long been owned by the children under the care of the late Chief Musitafa Akanbi Popoola, the first male son.”

It was further gathered by our correspondent that on February 14, 2017, a general family meeting was convened by Prof. Oluwatoyin Muse Johnson Popoola at the home of Mr. Karimu Popoola in Abeokuta, the only surviving son and child of Madam Ayisatu Efunolola Popoola (which has not been held for over 70 years), and was attended by all the children of the late Madam Ayisatu Efunolola Popoola.

The family alleged that in November 2019, information reached Mr. Popoola Abiodun Saburi, the last child of the late Chief Musitafa Akanbi Popoola that the Oniworo land had allegedly been sold and this was immediately reported to Prof Oluwatoyin Muse Johnson Popoola for his attention and further action. Prof. Popoola conversed with Mr. Tajudeen Julius Momodu Popoola and Mr. Taofik Adisa Fashina and both denied ever selling land to anyone.

Further investigations, queries and information revealed that The Apostolic Church Nigeria, with its national headquarters at Olorunda Ketu, Lagos acquired the land.

According to the family, the illegal and unauthorised acquisition was perfected by The Apostolic Church Nigeria representatives and land grabbers under the name Oniworo, Ayidina and Ajebo family proxied by Mr. Moshood Adebayo (aka Akoba Gafara), Mr. Ekundayo Dele (aka DD) and Mr. John Majiyagbe. All efforts to find out the alleged buyer of the land proved abortive and were met with threats to life, threats to kidnap which prompted the family to petition the Department of State Services (DSS).

Prof Popoola said it was the DSS investigations and efforts to prevent deaths and breakdown of laws and orders that exposed the church as a buyer under the name of The Apostolic Church of Nigeria.

Other accomplices named by Mr. Moshod Adebayo are Mr. Ibitoye (Surveyor 1), Mr. Kabiru (Surveyor 2) and Mr. Amuletutu (the buyer on behalf of Apostolic Church Of Nigeria).

It was also alleged that one Inspector Gbenga Babatunde, who is currently serving with The Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command was the police officer that arranged police cover for the land grabbers.

Others are Chief Tanmo- Baale of Oniworo; Mr Musibau Amuletutu, Mr Moshood Adebayo (aka – Akoba Gafara), Mr Ekundayo Dele (aka- DD), Mr John Majiyagbe and Miss Muibat Adebayo.

It was also gathered that one Odenike Kabiru, who was later discovered as an unregistered apprentice stood in as the surveyor of The Apostolic Church. Kabiru claimed to be the church link person and surveyor who organised the alleged criminal acts with other land grabbers, according to his confessional statement made at DSS invitation.

The involvement of the DSS comes against the backdrop of death threats against some members of the family through the known and unknown accomplices at the time of this report. The DSS advised representatives of the Ayidina, Ajebo and Oniworo families to contact the Apostolic Church of Nigeria and all stakeholders to arrange an urgent meeting with the family of the late Madam Ayisatu Efunolola Popoola (née Bamgbopa) to avoid public unrest, threats of kidnapping, maiming and killing which the petitioners have clearly expressed to the Directorate.

All efforts by the family to meet the Apostolic Church of Nigeria (LAWNA) have been unsuccessful and have been thwarted by the land grabbers to date.

Meanwhile,The Apostolic Church were contacted for further investigation to establish facts behind the alleged act.

The LAWNA Territorial Press Secretary, Mr. Tunde Adebisi denied the allegation, stating that the church duly acquired the land from authorised agents.

His words: “Well, in respect of your enquiry, I want to assure you and the general public that The Apostolic Church Nigeria LAWNA Territory is a responsible church and would never engage in any illegality. We have duly acquired the said expanse of land legally from authorised agents of the Oniworo community. We thus have no cause to relate with land grabbers or threaten anyone over the land matter. We will advise the petitioners or anyone whatsoever that has issue over the land to contact the Oniworo community leadership, or their agents to resolve such.”