Profile of Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu (Rtd)

Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu, fondly known as the “Jungle Officer,” was a distinguished Nigerian military officer, community leader, and custodian of the historic Eletu-Odibo heritage of Osapa London, Lagos State.

Born on 5 January 1933, he was the first male child of High Chief Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu-Odibo, the proprietor and custodian of the Osapa London ancestral land. Following the passing of his father in 1980, Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu assumed the position of Head of the Family (Olori Ebi) of the Chief Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu-Odibo Chieftaincy Family.

A committed patriot and firm believer in the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria, Major Muritala served prominently during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), also known as the Biafra War, where he was a frontline commander under the Third Marine Commando at the theatre of war. His courage, discipline, and dedication to national service earned him recognition among his peers and subordinates.

Throughout his military career, he participated in several national operations, regional assignments, and United Nations peacekeeping missions. By virtue of his exemplary service and leadership, he rose through the ranks to attain the position of Major before his retirement from active military service.

Beyond his military accomplishments, Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu became widely respected as a defender and protector of the Osapa London ancestral land. As Head of the Chief Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu-Odibo Chieftaincy Family, he played a central role in a protracted legal battle concerning the ownership and preservation of the Osapa London land, a dispute that lasted for over twenty-six years between the Chief Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu-Odibo Chieftaincy family and Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye, Ojomu of Ajiran land.

Despite adverse judgments delivered against the family at both the Lagos State High Court and the Court of Appeal, Major Muritala remained resolute in his pursuit of justice. Before his passing on 14 January 2005, he had successfully escalated the matter to the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 14th June, 2004, through the chambers of renowned legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

His persistence and unwavering commitment ultimately yielded victory when, on 12 July 2013, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled in favour of the Chief Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu-Odibo Chieftaincy Family in the case of Major Muritala Gbadamosi (Rtd) & Others v. HRH Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye & Others, affirming the family’s ownership rights over approximately 254 hectares of land.

Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu remains remembered as a courageous military officer, devoted nationalist, respected family head, and steadfast defender of the ancestral heritage and territorial integrity of the Osapa London community.

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