The Olu of Orile Ilawo, Oba Alexander MacGregor, has dismissed ten chiefs for allegedly selling approximately 1,600 acres of community land in the Alagbagba area and other regions in Odeda Local Government, Ogun State. Among those dismissed are Chief Oluwole Dosunmu, the Oluwo of Ilawo, Chief Abraham Soyoye, Balogun of Ilawo, and Fatai Sodimu, the Jagunna of Ilawo.

At a press briefing held in his palace on Saturday, Oba MacGregor expressed his disapproval of the chiefs’ actions, accusing them of consistently undermining his authority and selling land without his consent. He asserted that such actions violate the community’s Omoluabi (integrity) values and warned the dismissed chiefs to cease identifying as Oluwo, Balogun, and Jagunna of Ilawo.

The monarch stated, “The Osile of Oke Ona can no longer serve as the prescribed authority for Ilawo, as Ilawo now has a king. I won’t allow the good name of the Ilawo community to be tarnished by land-grabbing activities.”

In response, the dismissed Oluwo of Ilawo, Chief Oluwole Dosunmu, 80, denied the accusations, claiming they acted with community approval. He remarked, “We have done no wrong and have full backing from our community. Our titles are recognized by the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba (Dr) Adedapo Tejuoso.” Dosunmu added that the chiefs learned of their dismissal through media reports and had not received any formal communication from the king.

This ongoing dispute highlights the growing tension over traditional authority and land rights within the community.