Ondo Attorney General, Ajulo, affirms Eba Island belongs to state after UK archive findings

—-Says colonial records, maps, treaties point to Ondo

…Federal recognition, local administration back Ondo claim

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Attorney General AG and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Dr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), has presented historical, legal and geographical evidence to counter recent claims by Ogun State government on the ownership of Eba Island.

Ajulo, while speaking with newsmen,issued a detailed defence of Ondo State’s ownership of Eba Island.

He said the dispute over the oil-rich island was “astonishing” given that all official records and decades of administration had long recognised it as Ondo territory.

According to him ” l speak as one who has served Ondo State with distinction and has seen firsthand the recognition of Eba Island as part of our territory,” he said.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and other federal agencies visited the island on multiple occasions and without equivocation, recognised it as belonging to Ondo State. Yet, today, Ogun State lays claim to it. What has changed?”

Ajulo said that the claims prompted a personal investigation to verify the truth.

“I undertook a solo forensic study in the United Kingdom, consulting the British Library, the National Archives at Kew and other repositories of colonial records.

He added that “I examined original treaties, maps, intelligence sketches, cadastral surveys and gazette notices. Each document confirmed that Eba Island is an integral part of Atijere in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State

The AG provided a detailed account of the historical trajectory of the island. “Prior to the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria, Eba Island was part of the Ilaje/Mahin Country within the Lagos Colony.

He explained that “In 1885, the Amapetu of Mahin signed a protection treaty with colonial authorities, bringing the Mahin Kingdom, including Atijere and Eba Island, under Lagos Colony’s aegis.

” Following the amalgamation, the island became part of Ondo Province, specifically the Okitipupa Division, and was designated a Forestry Reserve under the Atijere Native Authority.”

The Commissioner noted that by 1933, Atijere had emerged as the administrative headquarters of the district, hosting the Native Court where vassal chiefs appointed by the Amapetu presided over local affairs.

“Eba Island fell squarely under the authority of Atijere Native Court. By 1950, it was incorporated into the Ilaje District Council, with Atijere as its headquarters.

“Through all subsequent local government reforms, including the creation of Ilaje/Ese-Odo in 1975 and the carving out of Ese-Odo in 1997, Eba Island remained and continues to remain part of Ilaje Local Government Area.

Ajulo further emphasised the human and administrative dimension. “Generations of Ilaje indigenes have lived, fished, farmed, and worshipped on Eba Island.

“They have never once paid allegiance or royalties to Ogun State authorities. River Ufara serves as the natural and eternal boundary between Ilaje land and Ijebu territory. The facts speak for themselves.

Ajulo also outlined the legal foundation of Ondo’s claim. “Under Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution and Item 39 of the Exclusive Legislative List, ownership of mineral resources vests in the Federal Government.

“However, derivation benefits and host-community rights under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 are determined by territorial location and the identity of host communities.

” Ownership cannot be established through press releases, media narratives, or opportunistic assertions; it is anchored in historical title, continuous administration, and customary law. No gazette, court ruling, or boundary adjustment has transferred Eba Island to Ogun State.

He presented a catalogue of evidence from his UK research, including: Colonial administrative maps and boundary delineations from the Lagos Colony era, confirming Eba Island as part of Ilaje/Mahin Country under Governor Sir John Hawley Glover.

“Intelligence reports and provincial sketches of Ondo Province post-amalgamation, showing Ilaje District, including Atijere and Eba Island, under Native Authority control.

“Treaty drawings and sketch maps from the 1885 protection treaty incorporating the Mahin kingdom into Lagos Protectorate.

“Gazette notices, boundary adjustment graphs, and ethnographic maps from the early 20th century placing Eba Island within Ondo jurisdiction.

“Forestry reserve plans and cadastral surveys from the 1930s onward, confirming Atijere Native Authority oversight of the island.”

Ajulo warned against attempts to inflame tensions. “Ogun’s assertions risk generating communal conflicts and undermining the peace along our shared coastline.

“Ondo State will defend its territorial integrity with every lawful weapon in the courts, before the National Boundary Commission and in the court of public opinion,” he said.

He called for calm and dialogue, stressing that the matter should be resolved constitutionally.

Ajulo concluded that “Let there be no shadow of doubt: Eba Island is Ondo State’s yesterday, today and forever. The oil beneath it is a divine endowment for the people of Ilaje and for the development of our state.

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