The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has set up a task force against land grabbing across the 18 local government areas of state.
Speaking at the inauguration of the task force on Wednesday, the governor announced strict penalties for land-related offences, including up to 21 years imprisonment for unlawful resale of property and 10 years for forceful land acquisition or encroachment.
Aiyedatiwa also expressed concern over the increasing cases of violent land disputes, illegal occupation, fraudulent resale of land, and the imposition of unregulated charges by some individuals claiming to be land owners, noting that such activities have led to displacement, conflict, and a breakdown of order in both rural and urban areas.
He said, “Land is more than just property. It is our heritage, a birthright, and the foundation of community identity.
“We will not stand by and allow criminal elements to rob our people of what rightfully belongs to them.”
Aiyedatiwa also commended the state House of Assembly for passing a land grabbing bill which stipulates the penalties, including 10 years imprisonment for land grabbing and forceful entry, five years in prison or N5million fine for illegal occupation, seven years imprisonment for violating real estate transaction regulations, 21 years imprisonment for the resale of property without proper revocation and 2 years’ imprisonment for collecting illegal levies.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, recalled that on Monday, December 30, 2024, Aiyedatiwa signed into law the bill that laid the foundation for the establishment of the task force being inaugurated.
The commissioner however lamented the rising tension and conflicts in communities across the state, caused by land disputes, stressing that most communal clashes in the state have their roots in unresolved land ownership issues.
Members of the task force are, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ajulo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Olawoye Abiola, the state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, the Ondo State Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye and the state Surveyor-General, Idowu Owolabi
Others include the representative of the Ministry of Justice, Adesanya Adelana, the representative of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Akin Ogundipe, the representative of Local Government Authorities, Maxwell Adelosoye, Representative of Civil Society Organisation, Olabanjo Aiyenakin, Community Representative (Central), Joseph Akinlaja, Community Representative (North), Tunji Abayomi, Community Representative (South), Ebun Adegboruwa, and Aiyegbusi Olabode, (Coordinator/Secretary).
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