Startling revelations as Gov Makinde's anti-land grabbing agency visits Ogbomoso

Startling revelations as Gov Makinde’s anti-land grabbing agency visits Ogbomoso

Khalid ABRAHAM

It was revelations galore Tuesday in Ogbomoso Oyo state as the chairperson and members of the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbing Agency was hosted at the palace of the paramount ruler of the city His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III.

The event graced by many traditional rulers, chiefs and other stakeholders including businessmen was an eye-opener. Several alarming cases of high-level land grabbing were exposed by aggrieved royal fathers and other individuals who passionately appealed to the agency to up its game in redressing the situation.

Sensitising the gathering on the mandate of the body chairperson of the agency, Justice O.I. Aiki (rtd), said the agency began operation in 2023 after Governor Seyi Makinde signed the bill establishing it into law in 2022. She disclosed it was founded under the Real Properties Protection Law Taskforce.

Justice Aiki who was accompanied by some other members of the agency including Barrister Yisa Busari, Mrs. Folashade Aderibigbe, Barrister Kamarudeen Moshood, Mogaji Kazeem Akinro (Balogun/operation officer of Amotekun Corps in Oyo state), Surveyor Olarotimi Adigun and Mrs. Opeyemi Ogundiran (her PA), informed her audience the agency was born out of the need to boost investment in the state through overcoming problems associated with the many land conundrum.

“We don’t want a situation where people who established businesses in the state would face challenges of land acquisition or retention of their property after few years due to problems arising from land grabbers who will start claiming ownership of the land already acquired,” Justice Aiki who retired as a High Court judge in the state explained.

Expressing concerns land grabbing crises is rampant in Ogbomoso like Ibadan, she retorted it was a huge disincentive to investment and growth.

“In an atmosphere of acrimony like that, potential investors are scared away and businesses are frustrated and closed down, resulting in job losses and lack of economic growth,” Justice Aiki further stressed. “Hence government strives to curb this menace with the establishment of this agency first initiated in 2016 during the administration of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, assenting to it in 2017 after being passed by the House of Assembly. But it came into effect in 2023 following the interest and commitment of the incumbent His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde.”

She informed the agency is of motley background with members drawn from various establishments including security agencies, Ministries of Justice, Land and Finance, Surveyor General Office etc.

The retired judge lamented land grabbing cases is rampant in Ogbomoso, expressing gratitude to Oba Ghandi for approaching the agency to visit the town for sensitisation.

“Kabiyesi loves Ogbomoso and desires its progress. If there is no investment every sector will be adversely affected and progress will be stalled. Hence, the importance of this agency.”

She noted the institution of Land Use Act has taken ownership of land from traditional rulers to the state governors whom he said hold it in trust for the people. “And whoever buys land should get it registered at the Ministry of Land, for protection against land grabbers,” she counselled. This is as she lamented that people especially traditional rulers “who are supposed to encourage land protection are the culprits promoting chaos over land, it is demoralising. So, l plead with us to respect this law, it is to our overall advantage.”

Barrister Busari also advised against unilateral selling of lands such as government, communal, family and sacred lands by individuals without consent of co-owners, just as he encouraged victims against taking laws into their hands by resorting to use of thugs or self help emphasising rather that either their office or a court of competent jurisdiction is approached.

He added that aiders and abetters of land grabbing are equally liable to facing the wrath of the law. Destruction of people’s properties and farms on account of contention over lands, he also said would attract suit on malicious damage. Meanwhile, he disclosed unsubstantiated petitions to their office with the motive of misleading them would also attract sanction; the omo onile menace he also warned against.

“Governor Seyi Makinde asks us to appeal to you. The law is no respecter of anyone, let’s put ourselves in position of honour, that is important,” Justice Aiki underlined as he addressed the traditional rulers.

Speaking earlier, the Soun expressed appreciation to the agency and the many royal fathers who attended the event revealing he facilitated the interface because of the alarming cases of land grabbing in Ogbomoso zone, reiterating his personal abhorrence to land grabbing. “I won’t grab land, l won’t sell land, if l need land l am prepared to buy it,” the Oba said. “l charge our royal fathers involved in this anti-progress indulgence to desist in the interest of progress of our communities. Moreover, we don’t want our royal fathers being dragged to court or the agency because of land grabbing allegations.”

In the ensuing questions and answers session, many cans of worms were yanked open, corroborating the rampant nature of the menace in Ogbomoso. From Surulere to Ogo-Oluwa to Oriire to Ogbomoso North and South local governments, instances of brazen land grabbing matters surfaced albeit mostly perpetrated by traditional rulers.

There was the case of a young entrepreneur who narrated how he bought parcels of land in a neighbouring community about two decades ago to start businesses after graduating from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH Ogbomoso but that after a new Oba came on the throne in the community he was asked to make another payment for the land, following which his business interests were destroyed and had been denied access to his investment. “Now, l beg to eat. I made reports to relevant authorities including the anti-land grabbing agency but all to no avail,” the man groaned. Responding to this man’s dilemma, Justice Aiki described his case as “Pathetic” but unveiled it’s being ”seriously investigated.”

There is also the lamentation of a royal father who claimed a neighbouring senior Oba wrongly installed a customary tenant as chief over his land ”through whom he now grabs and illegally sells my land passed down by our ancestors.” Cases of inter-local government land grabbing are also prevalent with various “victims” making appeals they be bailed out even as they alleged security agencies of “complacency, powerlessness or lending unethical support to influential land grabbers.”

Justice Aiki while however stressing the limitations of its agency assured all matters reported to them are holistically looked into. She consequently encouraged the aggrieved to always adhere to the stipulated procedures and follow the path of law, adding, “Our mandate is to protect land owners and what is on the land.” But she reiterated, “Don’t use thugs to protect your land or claim ownership, it can be used against you in the court, and no one has the right to destroy pillars or resell a land already sold.”

She informed they have a complaint box (painted red) at their office in Ibadan where she said anyone could drop their petition. In the same vein she urged the media to be “responsible” in reporting matters already in court especially over chieftaincy and land matters asserting reporting such cases amounted to “subjudice.”

The respected jurist similarly enlightened communities on their right to write petition against any police officer, divisional police headquarters, command or zone indulging in excessive behaviour or have become tools of the powerful. ”In fact, you reserve the right to write petitions against any public official doing the wrong thing including me. People should not be afraid.”

Meanwhile, speaking with ogbomoinsightonline.com after the programme some suggested the offices of the agency should be opened at zonal level for easy access and effectiveness.

Among the traditional rulers and chiefs at the event are Alajaawa of Ajaawa, Onisapa of Isapa, Onidewure of Idewure, Oluwofin of Iwofin, Olosupa of Osupa Orile, Oniro of Iro, Alabaa of Abaa, the two rival Baale Saamo, Onigambari of Gambari, Abora of Ora, Iyalode Ajaawa, Amura Ladokun, Onifedegbo of Fedegbo and Baale Alada. visits Ogbomoso.