ARAROMI-SEASIDE COMMUNITY REJECTS AHERI KINGDOM OWNERSHIP CLAIMS, SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT:
The attention of the Araromi-Seaside Community has been drawn to a document circulating under the title “Aheriland (Ilaje) at Crossroads: For the Record,” which claims that Araromi-Seaside, the designated host community of the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ) in Ondo State, forms part of the Aheri Kingdom.The community categorically rejects this claim. It is inconsistent with the documented history of Araromi-Seaside, contrary to written acknowledgements made by the Aheri stool itself, and at variance with binding judgments of courts of competent jurisdiction.
This statement sets out the historical and legal facts. The Claim the publication alleges that Araromi-Seaside belongs to the Aheri Kingdom and suggests that historical records and court decisions support that position. It further argues that Araromi-Seaside’s present status as an independent community should be reversed.
These assertions are incorrect.
Historical Origin of Araromi-Seaside:
Historical records establish that Araromi-Seaside was founders around 1887 by Ikusanu (Kashanu) of Ipepe in Mahin Country. This fact is independently confirmed in a Colonial Administrative Report dated 10 October 1947, prepared by Mr. Briggs and preserved at the National Archives, Ibadan. The report identifies Araromi as a group of Ilaje settlements founded by Ikusanu.
This independent colonial record predates the present dispute by several decades and remains an important historical reference. The 1955 Acknowledgement by the Aheri Stool. Perhaps the strongest evidence against the present claim comes from the Aheri stool itself. On 6th October 1955, an agreement was executed at the palace of the then Maporure of Aheri, His Royal Highness Oba M. A. Gbose, between the monarch and the Ikusanu family concerning Araromi land.
In that agreement, Oba Gbose acknowledged the Ikusanu family’s ownership of the land stretching from Oso Godomu to Idi Ogede. He stated that any liberty granted to him to “extend his kingdom” over Araromi land arose solely from his family relationship with the Ikusanu family. He further declared that such liberty was personal to him and would cease upon the installation of another Maporure. He affirmed that the Ikusanu family had never paid rent or tribute to either himself or the Aheri Kingdom. The agreement was witnessed by Pa Marshall Okungbure on behalf of the Ikusanu family and was duly assessed and stamped by the Commissioner of Stamp Duties.
This document is a clear written acknowledgement that the ownership of Araromi land resided with the Ikusanu family. The 1967 Rebuttal
The current claim is not new.
Following the Federal Government’s acquisition of land donated by the Ikusanu family for the proposed Naval Base project, representatives of Aheri reportedly claimed ownership of the land. That claim was formally challenged by Barrister Olu Mafo, himself a prince of Aheri Kingdom and solicitor to the Ikusanu family, in a letter to the Lands Division in Akure. He affirmed that there was no historical basis for the claim that Araromi belonged to Aheri and reiterated that the maternal relationship between Oba Marcos Gbose and the Ikusanu family did not confer ownership of the land on the Aheri stool. Ownership of the land, economic trees and all proprietary interests remained exclusively with the Ikusanu family.
Judicial Determination of Ownership:
The issue of ownership has already been conclusively determined by the courts. In Suit No. HOK/6/1991, delivered on 20 January 2014 by the High Court of Ondo State sitting at Okitipupa, Honourable Justice O. Akintan -Osadebay held that: The entire expanse of Araromi land, including the fish ponds, belongs to the Ikusanu family. The Ikusanu family is entitled to the Customary Right of Occupancy over the land. Only the Ikusanu family has the legal right to grant tenancies and collect customary rents, subject to the Land Use Act. Damages of ₦25,000 were awarded for trespass.
A perpetual injunction was granted restraining further acts of trespass.
Court of Appeal Affirms the Judgment. The defendants appealed in Appeal No. CA/AK/275/2014.
On 18 May 2017, the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, comprising:
Justice Uzo I. Ndukwe-Anyanwu, JCA; Justice Mohammed A. Danjuma, JCA; and Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya, JCA,
*”unanimously dismissed the appeal, describing it as “bereft of any morsel of merit.”* The Court affirmed the judgment of the High Court in its entirety and awarded costs against the appellants. The title of the Ikusanu family over Araromi land therefore remains affirmed by both the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Concern Over Repeated Ownership Claims:
The community is also concerned by reports that individuals from Aheri have, on several occasions, obstructed access to the road leading to Araromi-Seaside, allegedly preventing prospective investors from accessing the community. When viewed alongside repeated ownership claims that have already been rejected by competent courts, these actions raise legitimate concerns regarding the smooth implementation of the Olokola Free Trade Zone project.
The Ondo State Government, the Federal Government and prospective investors should take note of these developments while relying on the established legal position.
Conclusion:
The historical and legal evidence is clear and consistent:
The 1947 Colonial Record identifies Ikusanu as the founder of Araromi.
The 1955 agreement contains the Maporure of Aheri’s own written acknowledgement of the Ikusanu family’s ownership. The 1967 solicitor’s correspondence rejected an identical ownership claim. The High Court declared title in favour of the Ikusanu family in 2014, while the Court of Appeal unanimously affirmed that judgment in 2017.
These historical records and binding judicial decisions establish that Araromi-Seaside belongs to the Ikusanu family
“As Araromi-Seaside assumes greater national importance through the Olokola Free Trade Zone, it is these documented historical facts and subsisting court judgments—not recent contrary assertions—that should guide public understanding, government policy and future investment”
e-signed:
Elder Okungbure Ebunuolawa Silvanus
Olori Ebi Ikusanu
Araromi-Seaside Kingdom
13 July 2026