A court in Ondo State has remanded a High Chief, a pastor and a surveyor over alleged land-related offences, as the state government intensified its crackdown on land grabbing and illegal occupation of public property.
The suspects, identified as High Chief Lateef Adelusi, Pastor Akintola Alaba and Surveyor Adebiyi Olanibi, were arraigned on Tuesday over allegations bordering on unlawful encroachment on land, illegal takeover of property and fraudulent sale of landed assets.
According to the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), the three defendants were accused of trespassing on land belonging to Mr Akinnusi Folorunsho and others, as well as unlawfully selling landed property said to belong to the Ojumu family.
Ajulo, who also chairs the Ondo State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing, said the prosecution underscored the government’s determination to enforce existing laws against illegal land dealings across the state.
Speaking on the development, the attorney-general described the prosecution as part of ongoing efforts to tackle land grabbing and protect legitimate property owners.
He expressed concern that a surveyor, whose profession places him at the centre of land documentation and boundary administration, was among those facing prosecution.
“This is only one phase of our assignment under the Anti-Land Grabbing and Property Protection Law. As you can see, the law respects no one. When a surveyor, who is expected to be a custodian of land documentation, finds himself on the wrong side of the law, it signals the seriousness of our enforcement,” Ajulo said.
The commissioner disclosed that investigations were ongoing into several cases involving alleged illegal occupation, allocation and sale of government lands and properties across the state.
He alleged that some individuals had unlawfully taken possession of public lands, developed them without approval and in some cases sold portions to unsuspecting buyers.
According to him, the state government will commence verification and recovery exercises on affected properties, warning that those found culpable would face prosecution.
Ajulo also lamented what he described as attempts by some persons to illegally dispose of government assets, including official residential buildings.
“I am deeply shocked that some government houses, which are already insufficient to meet the needs of government, are being sold illegally. Fortunately, we have been able to halt some of these transactions,” he said.
The attorney-general urged persons occupying government lands without valid authorisation to regularise their status where possible or vacate such properties before enforcement operations begin.
He maintained that no individual, community, organisation or company had the right to appropriate public land without lawful approval, stressing that the era of impunity was over.
Ajulo further disclosed that the government was considering the introduction of a whistleblower policy to encourage residents to report illegal land transactions and encroachment on public assets.
He said informants who provide credible information leading to the recovery of government property or exposure of unlawful land dealings may be rewarded under the proposed policy, subject to the approval of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The commissioner added that the administration remained committed to restoring order to land administration, safeguarding public assets and strengthening investor confidence in the state.