Local monarch Babatunde Akanni Sonola, also known as Tallman, is facing accusations from residents of Makogi, a community in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, who claim that he imposed a reign of terror by allegedly using cultists to harass and threaten his subjects over an ongoing land dispute.
The Osho Kanakana family, who assert ownership over substantial swaths of the contested land, and others have accused Babatunde Sonola of selling parcels of land that do not legally belong to him.
Mr. Taiwo Adewusi, Spokesman of the Osho Kanakana family told SaharaReporters that Tallman has persisted in selling their ancestral land despite numerous warnings and legal notices.
Adewusi said, “We have court documents and traditional history to prove our ownership. When confronted, he sent cult boys to harass and threaten us. Some of our relatives were hospitalized after an attack.”
One of the victims said, “My name is Sunday Ojeyemi. I was the tailor whose shop they destroyed and stole four of my industrial sewing machines. It was Tallman, the man who claims to be monarch, who sent cultists to terrorise people. They came with guns, cutlasses, and bottles.
“Thank God I wasn’t at the shop that day. Things could have been worse. My apprentices ran for their lives. They could’ve been killed.
“They destroyed everything in my shop, scattered customers’ clothes, and stole machines worth N200,000 to N300,000 each. Since then, I’ve not been able to sleep at home because cultists are monitoring me.”
He listed the supposed cult leaders as Gbẹkẹ, Stubborn, Dimeji Aperanjeun, Agbara, Scorpion, Koyo, and SOJ—all of whom he believes are loyal to the Monarch, according to SaharaReporters.
Another victim, Omotayo Kanakana said, “Tallman sent his thugs to destroy my house with eight rooms. The Eiye cultists shattered the windows. They came with guns and cutlasses, shooting sporadically,” she said.
“They chased me, I fell, and they began to kick me. Now I can’t return to my house. My children have all been chased away. I’m pleading with the Ogun State government to save us.”
Babatunde was ordered to appear for a fact-finding investigation on March 20, 2025, according to a March 17, 2025, police invitation issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police Adamu Bello Muhammed of Zone 2 Police Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos.
The statement read, “This office is investigating a matter reported to the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone Police Command, Onikan, Lagos.
“In order to facilitate investigation, you are requested to report to the officer in-charge Zonal Servicom, with GSM No. 0803699**** on 20 March, 2025 by 1000hrs. Be informed that this is a fact-finding exercise in the interest of justice and fairness.
“Accept the assurances and warm regards of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, please. Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos.”
However, Sonola chose to disregard the Nigerian police’s request that she address claims of cultist-affiliated violence.