Ondo govt probes alleged ₦4.1m land fraud involving influencer couple
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Government has ordered an investigation into an alleged ₦4.1 million land fraud involving a couple who claimed they were duped in a disputed property transaction in Ugbo Oluwa, Ipogun, Ifedore Local Government Area.
The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Coats, popularly known as Anu and Pablo on social media, raised the alarm over the transaction before approaching the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, on Monday.
According to reports, the couple submitted a petition, affidavit, survey documents, payment receipts and other materials to support their claim to the 10-acre property. Subsequently, Ajulo referred the matter to the Ondo State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force at Oke-Eda, Akure, for investigation.
According to the couple, they were introduced to a land agent, Bamidele Ebenezer Omole, who later connected them with Folorunsho Joseph Ayilaran, who allegedly presented himself as the owner of a parcel of more than 100 acres.
They alleged that they agreed to purchase 10 acres at ₦550,000 per acre and made payments before a fresh survey revealed that the property was located within a gazetted government forestry reserve. They added that part of the larger parcel was also affected.
The couple said they subsequently demanded a refund but alleged that their efforts yielded no result, as Ayilaran eventually stopped communicating with them.
Following the petition, Ajulo directed the task force to investigate the allegations and establish what transpired in the transaction. He assured the couple that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and that anyone found culpable would face the law.
Ajulo also urged residents to report suspected land fraud to the appropriate authorities, stressing that the state government remained committed to protecting genuine property buyers and investors from unlawful land transactions.
