Ondo court remands traditional leader, pastor, surveyor over alleged land grabbing
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force has intensified its clampdown on illegal occupation of public property as a court remanded a high chief, a pastor and a surveyor over alleged land-related offences in the state.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), disclosed this while warning individuals occupying government lands unlawfully to vacate the properties or face prosecution.
Ajulo said investigations had revealed that some persons were illegally occupying, developing, allocating and selling government lands and properties without lawful approval, describing the acts as a threat to public assets.
According to him, the task force has commenced verification and recovery processes across the state, stressing that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in line with the law.
The warning came as High Chief Lateef Adelusi, Pastor Akintola Alaba and Surveyor Adebiyi Olanibi were arraigned before a court over allegations bordering on land encroachment, unlawful takeover of property and illegal sale of family land.
In his submission, Ajulo said the prosecution reflected the government’s determination to enforce the Anti-Land Grabbing and Property Protection Law without fear or favour.
“This is only one phase of our assignment. The law respects no one. When a surveyor, who is expected to be a custodian of land records, finds himself on the wrong side of the law, it shows the seriousness of our enforcement. We will not retreat from our responsibilities,” he said.
The attorney-general also disclosed plans to introduce a whistleblower policy to encourage residents to report illegal land transactions, adding that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remained committed to protecting public assets, restoring order in land administration and ending impunity in the state.
