By Peter Dansu The Akran of Badagry Kingdom, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, has firmly distanced himself and the royal palace from an alleged ...
By Peter Dansu
The Akran of Badagry Kingdom, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, has firmly distanced himself and the royal palace from an alleged case of property grabbing in Ibereko, Badagry, involving one Mr Solomon Ayodele Akran, who is said to be claiming royal ties to the revered monarch.
The clarification followed an earlier report by Badagry Today regarding a purported petition by the Nigerian Human Rights Community NHRC, which alleged the forceful occupation of a property belonging to a late retired naval officer. The report has since been withdrawn following official clarification from the palace.
According to the petition reportedly dated 15 December 2025, NHRC had sought the intervention of the Akran over the alleged illegal takeover of a residence located at No 3 Godo Estate, Ibereko, Badagry. The property belonged to late Commander J R T Williams, who lived abroad until her death in April 2025 after a brief illness associated with old age. NHRC alleged that Mr Solomon Ayodele Akran claimed to be a son of the Oba while occupying the property.
Reacting to the development, the legal representative of the palace and the Akran of Badagry, Barrister Tinka Gigonu, told Badagry Today that neither the palace nor the monarch had received any petition from NHRC concerning the matter. He stressed that the Oba had no knowledge of the alleged property dispute and completely dissociated himself and the palace from the issue.
Barrister Gigonu further stated that the palace does not support or encourage any form of illegality, including land grabbing or forceful occupation of property. He advised all aggrieved parties, including NHRC, to seek redress through the appropriate legal channels rather than attempting to drag the traditional institution into a private dispute.
Badagry Today also gathered that the individual at the centre of the controversy, Mr Solomon Ayodele Akran, is not a biological son of the Akran of Badagry, contrary to claims attributed to him.
Meanwhile, details contained in the NHRC petition alleged that Commander Williams’ daughter had been overseeing the property and handling renovation works through a carpenter, Lanre Lumpkin, who had custody of the keys. NHRC claimed that around April 2025, Ayodele allegedly exploited this access and, in collusion with the carpenter, moved into the house without the consent of the property owners or any legal tenancy agreement.
The petition further alleged that Ayodele claimed to have paid the carpenter an amount equivalent to one year’s rent but could not provide any receipt or documentation to support the claim. The alleged occupation reportedly came to light in July 2025 when the deceased officer’s daughter visited Nigeria unannounced and found Ayodele living in the house.
NHRC claimed that when confronted, Ayodele admitted the illegality of his action, apologised and pleaded for time to vacate the property by the end of August 2025. However, the group alleged that he has remained in occupation for nearly nine months after that promise.
The situation reportedly worsened after the daughter returned abroad, with claims that Ayodele issued threats to emissaries, invoked traditional powers, and allegedly boasted of being a leader within the Ogboni fraternity in Lagos State. NHRC also alleged that he continued to assert royal privileges by claiming to be the Oba’s son and insisted that no one could force him out of the property.
In its petition, NHRC described the alleged actions as violations of Lagos State tenancy laws and federal criminal statutes relating to illegal occupation and threats. The organisation urged relevant authorities to uphold the rule of law and protect property rights, particularly those belonging to Nigerians in the diaspora.
The Williams family, according to NHRC, expressed deep concern over the alleged invasion, describing it as a painful experience that occurred while they were still mourning their loss.
However, with the Akran of Badagry categorically denying any involvement and affirming that the palace has not received any petition on the matter, the monarch has reiterated his commitment to justice, due process and the preservation of the integrity of the Badagry royal institution.
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