The Oba of Abo Asakin Community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Sunday Adebayo, has been remanded in custody over an alleged unlawful takeover of a parcel of land belonging to Chief Temitayo Jimoh.
A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Oke Eda, Akure, ordered the monarch’s remand on Monday following his arraignment over alleged trespass and occupation of the disputed property despite objections from the owner.
The dispute reportedly began after Adebayo approached Jimoh, a senior traditional title holder in the community, to seek permission to use the property for a community project. The request was allegedly rejected by Jimoh, who reportedly advised that another parcel be considered.
The monarch was, however, alleged to have proceeded to the disputed property and commenced activities there, prompting the intervention of the Ondo State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing.
Jimoh reportedly maintained that neither the community nor the traditional council had reached any decision authorising the use of his property, leading the Task Force to intervene and seek an amicable resolution.
The agency said it initially engaged traditional rulers and other stakeholders in an attempt to settle the matter without litigation. However, the intervention failed to resolve the disagreement, leading to the institution of criminal proceedings.
At Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution opposed the defendant’s bail application. The court subsequently fixed Friday to rule on the application and ordered that the monarch remain at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the ruling.
Reacting to the development, the Task Force said the case was not aimed at the monarch but was intended to reinforce the principle that no individual, irrespective of status or influence, could unlawfully take possession of another person’s property.
The agency said, “The era of illegal takeover of another person’s land is over. No matter the position of the person involved, nobody has the right to enter or take possession of another person’s property without lawful authority.”
It added that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would not tolerate the use of influence to circumvent lawful property rights, stressing that genuine land disputes must be resolved through established legal channels rather than self-help.
The Task Force further explained that it would intervene where alleged conduct amounted to unlawful entry, forceful occupation, intimidation or encroachment, while maintaining that all persons would be treated equally where credible evidence of an offence existed.