The Adeosun/Idi Orogbo Community in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State was thrown into shock on Sunday when they found one of their landlords, Mr John Aderemi Abiola, in his room, almost four years after he was last seen in December 2018. The dead body was at the final stage of decay.
The discovery was made after the community decided, with the approval of the police authorities, to go into his compound to clear the bush that had overgrown his fence into the next house, causing a reptile invasion.
As 2019 crept into 2020, the residents wondered where the man could be. He told about two of those he used to communicate with about his intention to go to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and be back for the Ileya ceremony in 2018. Not seeing him for the festivity and thereafter made them think he was staying back where he initially came from.
Calls to his phone lines were not going through. After it was noticed that the weeds in his compound had grown bushy, the community landlords were said to have decided in a meeting to find a means of getting access to the premises to clear the bush.
However, they were said to have jettisoned the idea because of the implication in the law.
From then to 2021, and until 2022, which is getting close, the residents of the community who did not know his whereabouts decided again to go and clear the bush.
It was learnt that the move was made again when the owner of the piece of land beside Mr Abiola’s house moved in about two years ago after the construction was completed.
But snakes crawling into his residence from the next compound invaded his residence, and he became worried about the safety of his family members.
This was said to have caused the community to approach Apete police station again, where they were given the go-ahead to do what was necessary.
So, on Sunday, the community hired labourers to clear the bush. The house was constructed on the backside of the land, while the front side had a thick bush that could not be accessed.
As the labourers arrived with some landlords and started the work, they first noticed Mr Abiola’s Volkswagen Golf car, registration number AKD 769 DC, which had been covered by the bush before the clearing.
As the building came into view, Mr Abiola’s room’s window was open, which prompted curiosity.
One of the landlords, Mr Mohammed Ademola, who also worked for and used to interact with Mr Abiola, decided to check what was in the room.
However, he was shocked when he saw the skeleton on the house owner’s bed. Mr Ademola raised the alarm, which made others race to the window.
They were all shocked, and the news quickly spread. It was learnt that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Apete, SP Grace Akinsehinwa, was promptly informed, which caused her to send detectives to the scene for investigation and action.
Police detectives, as well as officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Ministry of Environment, arrived at the house, probably with a plan to evacuate the remains. It was evident from his skull and exposed teeth that he was gap-toothed in front. Also, his boxers could still be seen around his waist while his rotten flesh had eaten the top he must have worn.
Only a tiny piece remained by his side. His laptop was also found with his phone.
His plasma TV was still hanging on the wall, and his wardrobe contained his clothing and other items. Mr Abiola, whose date of birth was discovered to be October 1, 1955, reportedly moved into the house in July 2017 but was not in a close relationship with other residents except for formal greetings whenever their paths crossed.
Known as an engineer based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with his family before moving to Ibadan, he was said to have lived in several areas within the city before constructing the house in Adeosun Community.
He was also known for his frequent travels to Port Harcourt to do engineering work whenever needed.
The central chairman of Adeosun/Idi Orogbo Landlords’ Association, Mr Oluwafemi Omilana, spoke with the Nigerian Tribune and said that the late Mr Abiola always paid his dues.
“But we noticed that he didn’t associate with others, and he came to landlords’ meetings just once. His house has a high fence and was constructed at the back with a big space in front of the gate.”
