The Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), on Thursday, insisted that the disputed Eba Island belongs to Ondo State.

Ajulo stated this amid the ongoing controversy between Ondo and Ogun states over the ownership of the oil-rich island, with both states laying claim to it.

The Ogun State Government had earlier reaffirmed its territorial jurisdiction over the island in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, dismissing claims from Ondo State as misleading and capable of triggering avoidable communal tension.

However, Ajulo, in a statement issued on Thursday, described the renewed dispute as “astonishing,” insisting that historical and administrative records recognise the island as part of Ondo State.

He said, “I speak as one who has served Ondo State with distinction and has seen firsthand the recognition of Eba Island as part of our territory.

“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?

“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. 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.”

He said prior to the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria, the island formed part of the Ilaje/Mahin area within the Lagos Colony.

“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,” he said.

The attorney general further explained 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,” he said.

Ajulo warned against attempts to inflame tensions over the island, stating that Ondo State would defend its territorial integrity through lawful means.

He called for calm, stressing that the dispute should be resolved constitutionally through the courts and relevant authorities, including the National Boundary Commission. (The PUNCH)