The monarch had been alleged to have instigated machete attacks, and seized lands with impunity. However, Oba Shonola dismissed the claims as intended to discredit him and destabilise the peaceful community.

The Olu of Makogi Kingdom in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Babatunde Shonola, has denied recent reports accusing him of land grabbing, cultism, and sponsoring attacks against perceived rivals in the community.

 Oba Shonola in a statement on Saturday claimed that the allegations are false and politically motivated, orchestrated by a group of "individuals who refused to accept his legitimate emergence as the first crowned king of Makogi Kingdom."

He stressed that the real issue stems from a protracted kingship and baaleship tussle, not criminality on his part.

Over the past months, several reports had indicted the monarch as using police officers and cultists to harass residents. 

The monarch had been alleged to have instigated machete attacks, and seized lands with impunity. However, Oba Shonola dismissed the claims as intended to discredit him and destabilise the peaceful community.

According to Oba Shonola, the recent tension began when suspected hoodlums, dressed in matching blue outfits, invaded Makogi and began terrorising residents. 

He said his chiefs identified some known community figures among the group.

“I was shocked. I immediately sent two of my chiefs to monitor the situation. When they returned, they reported that these men, who have always opposed my leadership, were coordinating the hoodlums,” the monarch said.

The royal father stated that he promptly addressed a press conference and alerted the state police command. Following this, he said the Commissioner of Police ordered the SWAT unit to intervene, leading to the arrest of some suspects.

On the allegation of land grabbing, Oba Shonola clarified that he was not involved in any illegal sale of community land. Instead, he claimed the land in question was sold by his accusers themselves.

“They are the ones who sold 56 acres of land without my knowledge. When the buyer brought the agreement to me, I saw their names. My name was not on any of those documents,” he stated, presenting copies of the land agreement to support his claim.

He further explained that he only acknowledged the buyer’s right to resell part of the land when he approached him again, as a matter of fairness and transparency.

Oba Shonola traced the root of the unrest to a baaleship dispute dating back to 2014, when he was selected to succeed the late Baale. 

He alleged that one Suraju and his allies had since challenged his leadership through a series of court cases and petitions, including false accusations of kidnapping and murder.

“In 2018, they took me to court and I was detained multiple times based on fabricated charges. But the truth prevailed. They were later convicted for false information and sentenced. Even on appeal, I won again in December 2024,” he explained.

He added that despite winning both legal and community support, his opponents had continued to sponsor propaganda and resort to violence.

The monarch appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene in the matter and help restore peace and stability in the kingdom. 

“I want peace in Makogi. I call on our peace-loving Governor, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun, to look into this matter and reconfirm my position as the rightful Olu of Makogi Kingdom. I have made several peace overtures, but my opponents are bent on causing unrest,” he said.

Oba Shonola debunked claims of orchestrating attacks or using thugs to intimidate residents. 

“If you walk into my palace, you won’t find a single thug here. I have nothing to hide. I’ve always believed in due process, and I want the government and public to know that I have no hand in any violence,” he concluded.

The Olu of Makogi emphasised his openness to reconciliation and peaceful coexistence while urging relevant authorities to call the opposing parties to order for the sake of the community’s progress.