The Representatives of Late Oba Odumena Igimisoje Akarigbo Royal Family of Sagamu had finally cleared the air on the real ownership of a parcel of land along Ikenne-Remo Road,ORILE-OFIN,SAGAMU as Igimisoje Anoko Family refutes Fakoya/ARIGBABOWO Family Ownership Claim

A fresh land ownership declaration has emerged in Orile Ofin, Sagamu, Ogun State, following a viral social media video by Otunba Adewale Fakoya, who claims ownership of a parcel of land located at Ikenne-Remo Road, opposite the NYSC Camp, at the former Oko Rubber Area.

In the video, Otunba Fakoya warned the public against purchasing any portion of the land from Alabama Properties Agency, alleging the Agency lacks legitimate rights to handle transactions and she even claimed she is doing bonanza on the land.

In a swift and strongly-worded response, Prince Babatunde Adegboyega, Secretary to His Royal Majesty, Late Oba Odumena Igimisoje Akarigbo, speaking on behalf of the Anoko/ Igimisoje Family, dismissed Fakoya’s claims as “entirely false and misleading.”

“The land in question is an ancestral property belonging to our forefathers, and it remains the bonafide property of the Anoko / Igimisoje Family,” Prince Adegboyega stated. “The family has never, at any point in time, relinquished ownership of the land to the Fakoya family or any other entity.”

According to him, the Anoko Igimisoje Family duly contracted Alabama Properties to manage and sell parts of the land on their behalf.

“We consider Alabama Properties a reputable and trustworthy agency, and we stand by their operations on our land,” he affirmed.

Fakoya reportedly claimed that he was granted ownership of the land by the Ogun State Government under the leadership of Otunba Gbenga Daniel in 2010, with a supporting government gazette.

However, the Anoko Igimisoje Family contends that this gazette was invalidated when Governor Ibikunle Amosun assumed office and canceled previous allocations in 2011.

“To date, no legally recognized gazette or government documentation has revalidated the purported allocation,” Prince Adegboyega emphasized.

Despite the Gazette ingenuity, Fakoya/ Arigbabowo Family is alleged to have continued selling portions of the land, while also making repeated attempts to intimidate Alabama Properties and family members involved in the land’s legitimate sale.

“He has reported our family to the Police severally and the Land Grabbing Office in Abeokuta,” Adegboyega said. “Yet, we have remained law-abiding and have encouraged him to take his claims to court, where we are ready to meet him and resolve this matter once and for all.”

Also speaking on the matter, Prince Abdul-Fatai Otaiku, another senior member of Anoko Igimisoje family, expressed the family’s intention to reclaim any sections of the land already sold by Fakoya family.

“We are ready to collect our land back from Fakoya family because he has been selling it to unsuspecting buyers. The land belongs to us and not them,” Prince Abdul-Fatai declared.

The Anoko Igimisoje Family has called on members of the public to disregard the statements made by Otunba Fakoya and urged government authorities and community leaders to intervene in order to prevent further unlawful sales and safeguard the interests of the rightful landowners.

As the conflict escalates, all eyes remain on the next legal steps, which may determine the final ownership of the hotly contested property.

Just In: Nigeria Removed from List of Countries Indebted to IMF

– The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has removed Nigeria from its list of debtor countries.

– Country now better placed to strengthen fiscal credibility, says presidential aide, O’tega Ogra

In a report titled: ‘Total IMF Credit Outstanding – Movement from May 01, 2025 to May 06, 2025,” obtained on the multilateral institution’s website yesterday, Nigeria was not listed among its debtors which has a total of 91 developing and least developed countries owing the Fund a total of $117,797,656,224 as at 6th of May 2025.

Total IMF credit outstanding refers to the total amount of unpaid and outstanding principal due to the Fund from its member countries. This includes both outstanding loans under current arrangements and those that have expired.

When contacted on the development yesterday, a top IMF official in Washington DC, who pleaded to remain anonymous, told THISDAY they were trying to confirm the reports, pointing out that Nigeria borrowed a rapid finance loan during the pandemic.

However, StatiSense, a data company which also confirmed on its X handle yesterday that Nigeria was no longer listed on the list of countries indebted to IMF, revealed that as at July 28, 2023, Nigeria was owing the Fund $1.61 billion, this was reduced to $1.37 billion as at January 5, 2024; $933.03 million as at July 10, 2024; $472.06 million as at January 8, 2025, before it was finally settled this month.

It was learnt that the value was converted from Special Drawing Rights (SDR), an international reserve asset created by the IMF to supplement the official reserves of its member countries, to US dollars.

In a post on his X handle, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy, and New Media, O’tega Ogra, said the development was a signal of discipline, reform, and strategic reset by the Tinubu-Shettima administration in restructuring “our finances to enable us to be better placed for a prosperous future.”

He added: “As Nigeria closes the chapter on these legacy debt obligations, we are better placed to strengthen our fiscal credibility and show the world, and ourselves, that Nigeria is serious about managing our economy with responsibility and vision.

“Does this mean no more business with the IMF or other foreign lenders? No! Nigeria still remains a member of the IMF and can approach it at any time if the situation demands. This is definitely not a door slammed shut.

“Why? Because global partnerships like the IMF remain valuable allies, especially in a world defined by volatility and uncertainty. The difference now is that any future engagement will be proactive, not reactive, and will also be based on partnership, not dependence. Debt clearance today, reform momentum tomorrow.

“President Bola Tinubu will continue to prioritise long-term reforms with sound financial management for the benefit of our country and generations yet unborn. Nigeria is rising with clarity, capacity, and credibility, and this is why you should take a #BetOnNigeria.”

The IMF recently commended Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, describing them as bold measures that have helped stabilise the economy and laid the groundwork for future growth.

The IMF, in its recent 2025 Article IV Consultation Mission to Nigeria, last month, by a team led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, stated: “The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilise the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. These reforms have put Nigeria in a better position to navigate the external environment.

“The macroeconomic outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy.

“Macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, reduce inflation, and support private sector-led growth.”

Schimmelpfennig in the statement had noted that the cessation of deficit financing by the CBN, the removal of costly fuel subsidies, and improvements in the foreign exchange market were major policy shifts that signaled a commitment to reform.

He stated: “The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilise the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. The financing of the fiscal deficit by the central bank has ceased, costly fuel subsidies were removed, and the functioning of the foreign exchange market has improved.”

N5.7 Billion Yobe Water Project Plagued by Allegations of Fraud, Negligence

Sahara Weekly Reports That a controversial water project in (Filin tanda) Bade local Government of Gashua Yobe State, initially intended to provide clean drinking water, has become a focal point of public outrage and accusations of corruption. The project, purportedly aimed at replacing a former children’s play area (referred to as “sling swing”) with a functional water supply system, is now facing severe criticism regarding its execution and financial management.

The project is linked to Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, the former President of the 9th Senate and current Yobe North Senator. Senator Lawan’s long tenure in the parliament, spanning approximately 30 years, has drawn scrutiny, with some residents claiming that his career is marked by a lack of substantial developmental achievements.

“This used to be the place we played sling swing (Lilo) as kids… This guy, who spent about 30 years in office, making me as old as his incumbency, who has zero projects that go beyond a hundred million Naira, was once even the president of the Senate! What a monumental failure his entire career must be!” lamented a source.

Adding fuel to the controversy, Senator Lawan’s alleged ambition to contest in the 2027 gubernatorial elections has been met with skepticism. Critics express concern about the potential for further mismanagement and wasted resources, citing a pattern of “classical stupidity” among the electorate.

The accusations of fraud and negligence are particularly focused on the handling of the project’s funds. Sources, including Usman Umar Nagona and Habu Nawi Katuzu, have raised serious allegations: “5.7 Billion water fraud, jama’a ku tayani dubawa a ina 500M ta mutu anan? And that former Senate president, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, must come out boldly. Meanwhile, the work has not even reached 40% completion… The quality is substandard, timelines are completely ignored, and there’s a clear lack of accountability.”

The total budget for the water project is reported to be 5.7 billion Naira, with concerns that 500 million Naira is unaccounted for, despite the project’s completion rate being less than 40%. The reports of substandard quality, missed deadlines, and a lack of transparency have intensified calls for an investigation into the project’s management.

According to Usman Umar Nagona and Habu Nawi Katuzu, “the Yobe State Executive Governor, His Excellency, Hon. Mai Mala Buni Chiroman Gujba CON refused to attend the commissioning of the project because he knew it was a fraud”.

The controversy surrounding the water project has raised questions about Senator Lawan’s legacy and his suitability for higher office, and the Gashua people want to protest against the project if actions are not taken.

As Yobe State approaches the 2027 elections, the allegations of fraud and negligence in this project are likely to play a significant role in the political discourse.