The management of Fountain University has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to intervene in the illegal land encroachment, which poses a significant threat to the university’s security.
Speaking at a press conference held at the university, the Registrar & Secretary to Council of Fountain University, Mr. Sheriff Adenekan said it came to the institution’s notice as a shock when some individuals suddenly stormed about 124.349 hectares of land belonging to Fountain University in October 2024.
Adenekan stated that the institution possesses all necessary documents from the government including a Certificate of Statutory Right of Occupancy dated January 5, 2006.
He accused the land grabbers of destroying the university’s sign posts and other valuables, and further alleged that they have conducted a survey and laid out the land for their own purposes.
Adenekan warned the general public to beware of the fraudulent assigning of the institution’s land to innocent citizens.
He, however stressed that the University will continue to tow the legal means to confront the criminal activities on it’s land
According to him, “The Management of Fountain University wishes to formally notify members of the public on a matter of significant concern regarding an unauthorized illegal, unlawful and criminal encroachment on its property located at the Agric. Farm Settlement Area of Oke-Osun, Osogbo. This encroachment constitutes serious challenges to the integrity of the University’s land holdings and highlights the need for public awareness and vigilance.
“The University became seised of the land in reference under the Yoruba Native Law and Custom applicable to the people of Osogbo sometime in 2005 or thereabout. Of utmost importance was the significant role played by the community leaders in Osogbo led by the late His Royal Majesty, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi III (the then Ataoja of Osogboland) of blessed memory in conjunction with the Osun State Government in their quest for educational development for the people in the state and Nigeria at large.
“Having become seised of the land, the University subsequently obtained all the necessary documents from the government thus the land is covered by a Certificate of Statutory Right of Occupancy dated January 5, 2006 (No: 16, page 16, Volume 153) in the Land Registry. Some minor brushes inclusive of some lawsuits that emanated in respect of some part of the land were amicably resolved between the University and the good host community.
“Ever since then, the University has been in exclusive possession, undisturbed and peaceful occupation of the entire land which is being developed in a piece meal to attain, in a hurry, the ultimate goals of the University to the delight of the good host community and the Nation at large.
“The University therefore uses this medium to categorically state that the University has not divested itself of ownership of its entire land nor engaged any representatives or agents for the sale or leasing of any part of the land under any circumstances. We strongly encourage the public to exercise due diligence and caution when considering any dealings related to the land owned by the University as covered by the Certificate of Occupancy.
“While the University continues to tow the legal, lawful and orderly line of approach to confront the criminal activities of these hoodlums, the law enforcement agents particularly, the Police are called upon to appreciate and commend this lawful approach of the University by acting as expected of them under the law.”
