The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has delivered a final and binding judgment in a long-standing land dispute, definitively ruling in favor of His Royal Majesty, Oba Cornelius Abiola Taiwo, the Alaawe of Awe, and the entire Awe Community. The ruling dismisses the ownership claims of Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, the Elepe of Iseke, Iseke-Oyo.
In a unanimous decision on Appeal No. CA/IB/236/2017, the appellate court reaffirmed its earlier judgment from October 18, 2022, thereby upholding the rights of the Awe Community over the vast expanse of land in question. This includes Ijado farmland, Ijefon and its environs, which borders Akinmoorin, Jobele, Fiditi, and Iware, up to Kiyeseni.
According to a certified true copy of the judgment received by Oba Cornelius Abiola on February 2nd, 2026, the court dismissed the appeal filed by Chief Adeniyi Adebayo. The ruling quashed the attempt by the Elepe of Isẹke to overturn the earlier judgment of the court by approaching the high court to claim that Awe had gone beyond the portion awarded in the judgment. That case was struck out as a result of his withdrawal. He subsequently filed an application to the Court of Appeal to set aside the ruling delivered on October 18th, 2022. That application was unanimously dismissed. This solidifies the position that the land in dispute belongs to the Awe Community, effectively extinguishing any claims of ownership by the Elepe Family.
The court’s decision aligns with the well-documented historical records of the area. Historical facts presented during the proceedings confirm that in 1871, the Alaawe of Awe graciously granted a portion of the land to the Elepe Family strictly for agricultural purposes. The court affirmed that this historical grant for farming did not, and cannot, translate to a transfer of ownership.
Victory At Last: Awe Reclaims Her Ancestral Land Through Supreme Court Judgement(DETAILS)
The Awe Community had initiated legal action against the Elepe Family, alleging that the family had been illegally alienating portions of the communal land to unsuspecting buyers. The recent Court of Appeal judgment serves as a strong legal rebuke to these actions and reaffirms the ancestral rights of the Awe people.
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In light of this definitive ruling, all prospective buyers of land within the affected areas—including Ijado, Ijefon, and their environs bordering Akinmoorin, Jobele, Fiditi, Iware, and up to Kiyeseni—are hereby strongly cautioned to verify the authenticity of any land titles with the Awe Community before making any transactions. The court has affirmed that ownership of the entire expanse of this land resides solely with the Awe Community. Transactions with any other party, including the Elepe Family or their agents, are done at the buyer’s own risk, as such parties have no legal right to alienate the land.
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The Awe Community and its traditional council have hailed the judgment as a confirmation of their longstanding position and a testament to their commitment to preserving their ancestral lands for future generations. In a statement following the judgment, the council advised all individuals, families, or communities currently dwelling on any part of the land to regularize their stay with the Alaawe of Awe and the Council of Chiefs. Awe is a peaceful community which seeks to live at peace with all and sundry, and this process is intended to ensure clarity, security, and harmony for all residents living under its customary and legal jurisdiction.
This latest ruling is seen as a decisive victory for the Awe Community, which has been engaged in a legal battle since 2001 to protect its ancestral heritage from encroachment. The judgment brings finality to the dispute, confirming that the Elepe of Iseke’s (including his agents and cronies) claim of ownership over the entire expanse of land is without historical, traditional, or legal merit.
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