The ten Egba chiefs dismissed by the Olu of Orile Ilawo, Oba Professor Alexander MacGregor of Abeokuta, have responded, asserting he lacks the authority to remove them.
The chiefs stated that Oba MacGregor does not hold the official power over the Ilawo Kingdom.
Reports indicate that last week, Oba MacGregor removed several chiefs, including the Oluwo of Ilawo, Chief Oluwole Dosunmu; the Balogun of Ilawo, Chief Abraham Soyoye; and seven others, accusing them of unauthorized land sales, insubordination, and disrespect toward the royal institution.
Oba MacGregor alleged the chiefs sold over 1,600 acres of land without proper authority.
However, the chiefs denied these claims, saying they were appointed by the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, who holds official authority over Ilawo Kingdom, and that their appointments predated Oba MacGregor’s coronation two years ago.
During a briefing in Adedotun, Ilawo, Abeokuta, the Aro of Ilawo, Chief Olufemi Adebayo, accused Oba MacGregor of acting out of insincerity and a desire for power by attempting to depose them. Chief Adebayo remarked, “The accusation of land sales is false. These lands were sold by private landowners, who then gave us a share as the original custodians.”
According to Chief Adebayo, there is a gazette stating that communities receive 50% of land sale proceeds. The lands in question were sold six or seven years ago, prior to Oba MacGregor’s reign, and the funds were used to provide a 24-hour water supply for the community.
He added that Oba MacGregor lacks the authority to dismiss them, as their titles were granted by the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, the recognized authority over the kingdom. Chief Adebayo noted that Oba MacGregor’s actions contravene Section 24 of the Ogun State Chief Laws of 2021, which restricts a king’s authority to his jurisdiction.
Chief Adebayo called on Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Alake of Egbaland to address Oba MacGregor’s actions to prevent further escalation.
The Balogun of Ilawo, Abraham Soyoye, expressed his surprise at the news, describing the dismissal as ineffective, as the Osile of Oke Ona remains the legitimate authority over Ilawo. He stated, “If any change were to occur, it would require a change in the law. Oba MacGregor didn’t appoint us, so he cannot remove us.”
Chief Oluwole Dosunmu, the Oluwo of Ilawo, affirmed the collective stance of the other chiefs, asserting that Oba MacGregor’s actions hold no merit and should be disregarded. Chief Dosunmu emphasized that community lands have always been sold by landowners, who then share part of the proceeds with the community.
