The traditional ruler of Ibeseland in Yewa North Local Government, Oba Rotimi Mulero, has expressed his community’s willingness to amicably resolve a 12-year-old land dispute with Dangote Cement.
Oba Mulero made this known in a statement signed by Leke Ibikunle, the Ekaarun of Ibeseland and Secretary to the Aboro of Ibese-in-Council, with copies shared with newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
According to Oba Mulero, the Ibese community remains committed to resolving the long-standing land dispute and is open to resuming discussions, provided that all agreements and negotiations are based on accurate and reliable data that genuinely reflect the interests of the community.
He explained that to find a solution to the dispute, particularly regarding the obligations of the cement factory to its host community under the Minerals and Mining Act, the matter was referred to the Ogun State Multi-Door Court Centre. There, it was suggested that a joint settlement proposal should be presented by all aggrieved communities with similar claims against the cement factory.
However, the Aboro raised concerns about a significant error in a Survey Plan referenced in a letter dated July 26, 2024. The letter, jointly prepared by the Ibese, Ijako, and Igbogila communities and titled “Harmonised Demands from Ibese, Ijako, and Igbogila Communities,” had been recommended by the Ogun State Mediation Centre.
The letter mistakenly stated that the total size of Ibese Community land occupied by Dangote Cement was 2,863.931 hectares. In contrast, a more accurate survey revealed that the total size of Ibese land earmarked by the Ogun State Government for industrial and mining purposes is 12,612.621 hectares, with 3,362.032 hectares currently occupied by Dangote Cement in Ibese.
The royal father also noted that the letter incorrectly identified Igbogila town as one of the host communities of the cement factory, which it is not.
Upon discovering these significant errors, the community, through the Ibese Community Development Association’s solicitors, formally retracted the letter and the erroneous survey plan in a letter dated August 15, 2024, addressed to Dangote Cement Plc and the other communities.
Oba Mulero emphasized that the community has dissociated itself from the incorrect letter and survey, declaring them null and void. He added that any settlements, compensations, or obligations based on the erroneous information remain invalid.
