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COURT REMANDS MONARCH, OTHERS IN OLOKUTA CORRECTIONAL CENTER AS AIYEDATIWA DECLARES TOTAL WAR ON LAND GRABBERS
…Ondo AG says the law will spare no one, irrespective of status or influence
The Ondo State Government has intensified its sweeping crackdown on land grabbing and fraudulent land transactions, as the Magistrate Court sitting in Oke Eda, Akure, on Thursday took decisive action against another set of suspects accused of engaging in illegal land activities.
The defendants, Oba David Okunato, Tifase Folasade, the Oba of Osi Community in Akure North Local Government Area, and Nwaigbue Chijioke, alongside others said to be at large, were arraigned before the court in continuation of the State Government’s determined efforts to stamp out the menace of land grabbing across Ondo State.
According to the allegations, the embattled traditional ruler initially sold about 750 plots of land to a company for developmental purposes. However, he allegedly proceeded to resell portions of the same land to multiple individuals.
Trouble reportedly began when the company later returned to commence development on the land and discovered that several other persons were already laying claim to the property based on fresh allocations allegedly made by the monarch. The development led to serious disputes, prompting the matter to be taken back to the traditional ruler for clarification.
It was further alleged that the monarch subsequently agreed to allocate another parcel of land to the company as compensation, but later sold the same land to another buyer, thereby compounding the controversy and deepening the conflict.
In a firm demonstration of the judiciary’s zero tolerance for land-related criminality, the court remanded the defendants at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The court granted bail to the defendants in the sum of Two Million Naira (#2,000,000.00) each, with one surety who must be a recognised traditional ruler within the Magisterial District of the court, as well as a Level 14 officer resident within the Akure Magisterial District.
Reacting to the development, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, as well as Chairman of the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo SAN, OON, stated that the crackdown on land grabbers would continue relentlessly until sanity is fully restored to land administration across the state.
Dr. Ajulo, who is currently in The Hague for the Justice Matters Conference 2026, where he is expected to showcase the remarkable justice sector reforms being implemented in Ondo State under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, reiterated that those engaging in illegal land transactions, forceful takeover of property, fraudulent resale of land, and acts capable of causing communal unrest would face the full weight of the law.
He stressed that the laws of Ondo State would respect no individual, irrespective of status, influence, or position in society.
“I must tell you that the issue of land grabbing is capable of driving away investors, especially those who genuinely intend to invest in Ondo State. We cannot fold our arms and allow criminal elements to destroy the investment climate and peaceful coexistence in our dear State.
“We are sending a strong and unmistakable message across Ondo State that the era of impunity in land dealings will no longer be tolerated, irrespective of status or influence.
“We are determined to restore confidence in land transactions in Ondo State and reinforce public trust in the government’s commitment to securing lives, investments, and property rights.
“Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has demonstrated uncommon courage, bold leadership, and unwavering political will in confronting the menace of land grabbing head-on. He has made it abundantly clear that no individual, no matter how highly placed, will be allowed to sabotage the peace, economic growth, and development of Ondo State through illegal land activities.
“The Governor has given a clear and uncompromising mandate- land grabbing must be eradicated in Ondo State. Therefore we remain committed to protecting genuine landowners, safeguarding investors, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in every part of the State.
“The message remains loud and unmistakable, the crackdown is active, uncompromising, and again, the law is a respectal of no one. Anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.” He concluded.
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