The attention of the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sulaiman Raji Ashade, the Oniba of Iba Kingdom, has been drawn to a malicious publication by SaharaReporters and other online platforms alleging that the revered monarch is involved in “land grabbing” and sponsored violence at Alaba Rago, Iba, Lagos State.
These claims are false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the throne of Iba Kingdom and derail an ongoing progressive transport initiative that aligns with the THEMES+ agenda of the Lagos State Government.
On the issue of land grabbing, it is important to set the record straight. Oba (Dr.) Sulaiman Raji Ashade is a respected real estate investor who has devoted over three decades to the property and housing industry. The lands in question, including the site of the newly unveiled motor park, were lawfully acquired through legitimate transactions backed by verifiable legal documents. The monarch has been in possession of these and other properties in the area long before ascending the throne. His passion for the real estate sector is such that he is currently studying Estate Management at Lagos State University (LASU) to deepen his expertise and contribute further to the industry. Any claim of illegal land acquisition is, therefore, baseless and malicious.
With regard to the newly established motor park, His Royal Majesty embarked on the project as part of his commitment to align Iba Kingdom with the transport modernization goals of Lagos State under the THEMES+ Agenda and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The park was conceived as a 21st-century model facility to serve vehicles traveling to Northern and Eastern Nigeria, replacing the archaic and chaotic practices that have long defined the operations of informal agbero-controlled parks. Necessary authorizations were sought from relevant authorities, and the monarch is working with the Lagos State Government to expand similar facilities across the 57 LGAs and LCDAs to ease transport bottlenecks and create a safer, more organized commuting experience for Nigerians.
Contrary to the false narrative of sponsored violence, the unfortunate incident at Alaba Rago was the result of a deliberate attempt to disrupt operations by elements loyal to the National President of RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Mohammed (popularly known as Alhaji Mala). Following the Oniba’s principled resignation as State Chairman of RTEAN in protest against illegal and exploitative practices within the union, there has been a sustained campaign of hostility orchestrated by the national leadership. Investigations have revealed that while the Lagos State Chairman of RTEAN rejected the unlawful directive to attack the park and even notified the Commissioner of Police, the State Secretary, Shamsodeen Adebayo (Shame Alaba), acting under instructions from the National President, mobilized violent agbero elements to vandalize the new park.
Upon arriving at the site, these hired aggressors were met by a superior force made up of law-abiding operators and security personnel safeguarding the new park and the significant investment it represents. The ensuing confrontation led to the attackers being repelled, during which one of the invading agberos, in a bid to flee, ran into the path of a speeding vehicle and tragically lost his life. It is therefore false and misleading to present this unfortunate loss as the death of an innocent passenger or to suggest that the monarch instigated the violence.
The Palace deeply regrets the incident and extends condolences to the family of the deceased, regardless of his role in the attack. However, the attempt to politicize this tragedy and weaponize it against the throne of Iba Kingdom is both insensitive and dishonest. His Royal Majesty’s long-standing record as a listening monarch and advocate of peace, security, and community development speaks for itself.
The Palace also calls on SaharaReporters and other media platforms to exercise journalistic responsibility by conducting due diligence before publishing unverified claims. The Oniba Palace remains open to all credible journalists seeking the truth rather than propagating fabricated narratives. The Commissioner of Police has already invited key parties for questioning, including Alhaji Musa Mohammed, who, tellingly, has yet to honor the invitation. His continued evasion raises serious questions about the motives behind the attack and the false accusations now making rounds online.
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sulaiman Raji Ashade, remains committed to protecting the lives and property of all residents of Iba Kingdom. He will continue to support initiatives that advance the Lagos State Government’s THEMES+ Agenda and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Oniba stands firm as a custodian of peace, justice, and progress, and will not be deterred by malicious attacks aimed at undermining the stability and development of Iba Kingdom.
Signed: Olalere Samuel Owoseni (SAMGRIN)
Director on strategic media to ONIBA.