Ondo vows to prosecute land grabbers, recover government property

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The Ondo State Government has vowed to prosecute individuals involved in the illegal encroachment, sale, or occupation of government lands and buildings across the state.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, disclosed this while addressing ongoing efforts by the State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing.

Ajulo said several individuals and groups had unlawfully occupied, developed, and sold government land without any legal authorisation, describing the actions as “illegal and unacceptable.”

He noted that although the Land Use Act vests all land in the governor to hold in trust for the people, weak enforcement in the past had allowed some persons to exploit public assets for private gain.

“We have observed with concern that some persons have encroached on government lands and properties, while others have gone as far as selling portions of such lands to unsuspecting members of the public. This is unlawful and will not be tolerated,” he said.

Ajulo added that investigations were ongoing across multiple locations, with verification and recovery exercises set to precede enforcement actions. He warned that anyone found guilty of illegal occupation, allocation, or sale of government property would be prosecuted.

He also urged those currently occupying government land illegally to regularise their status or vacate before enforcement begins.

The Attorney General expressed concern that government properties, already insufficient to meet public needs, were being unlawfully sold or diverted for private use.

“Fortunately, we have been able to halt some of these transactions. Within the scope of our mandate and through the instrumentality of the law, we will ensure that no government property is unlawfully transferred into private hands,” he added.

Meanwhile, three individuals — Chief Lateef Adelusi, Pastor Akintola Alaba, and Surveyor Adebiyi Olanibi — were arraigned before an Akure Magistrate’s Court over alleged land-related offences, including encroachment and unlawful sale of land.

Ajulo said the Task Force would intensify enforcement actions “without compromise,” adding that the prosecutions form part of wider efforts to recover encroached government properties across the state.

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