The Ondo State Government has launched an investigation into an alleged N4.1m land fraud involving a couple, Mr and Mrs Coats, popularly known as Anu and Pablo on social media.
The couple, who are content creators, had raised the alarm online over an alleged failed land transaction at Ugbo Oluwa, Ipogun, in the Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.
Following their complaint, the couple met with the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, who also chairs the Ondo State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, on Monday and submitted documents connected with the disputed transaction.
The materials reportedly included an affidavit, petition, survey plans, receipts and other documents which the couple said supported their claim. The complaint was thereafter forwarded to the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force office at Oke-Eda, Akure, for documentation and investigation.
According to the documents presented, the couple allegedly paid for 10 acres of land at Ugbo Oluwa after being linked with a land agent, Bamidele Ebenezer Omole. They were reportedly introduced to Folorunsho Joseph Ayilaran, who allegedly claimed ownership of a larger parcel of more than 100 acres.
The couple said they agreed to purchase the 10 acres at N550,000 per acre and made payments towards the deal. However, they alleged that a subsequent survey exposed a major problem, as the portion they sought to acquire was reportedly located within a government-gazetted Forestry Reserve.
They further alleged that an independent survey showed that over 30 per cent of the larger 110-acre parcel identified in the initial survey also fell within the government reserve. The couple subsequently sought a refund of their payments but claimed that their attempts were unsuccessful and that Ayilaran later stopped communicating with them.
Ajulo assured the couple that the government would establish the facts surrounding the transaction and deal appropriately with anyone found culpable. He said the state would not allow alleged land fraudsters to undermine its land administration system or damage its reputation as a destination for legitimate investors.
The Attorney-General, however, advised residents to report suspected land grabbing and fraudulent property transactions to the appropriate government authorities instead of relying solely on social media to seek redress. He said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration had demonstrated its resolve to tackle land grabbing through an Executive Order, the Anti-Land Grabbing and Property Protection Law and the establishment of the task force.
Ajulo said the government remained committed to creating a secure environment for residents and genuine investors to acquire and develop property, stressing that the task force would continue to protect public land and ensure that lawful land transactions were not compromised.