Ogun lawmakers seek Monarch’s prosecution over alleged land-grabbing

August 15, 2024
By Adedoja Adesoji

The Ogun State House of Assembly, on Tuesday resolved to recommend the prosecution of Oba Taofeek Owolabi, the Olu of Obafemi in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, over accusations of land grabbing.

The Assembly’s recommendation aligns with the State Anti-land Grabbing Law of 2016 and other relevant legislation.

Lawmakers also instructed the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), to act on the resolution by initiating the prosecution of Oba Owolabi without delay.

The Assembly also directed both the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the State Council of Obas to suspend the monarch immediately due to actions that could threaten the peace of Agboro-Olatunde village and the broader community.

The resolution was based on the report submitted by the House Committees on Justice, Ethics, and Public Petitions, following petitions from the Agboro-Olatunde Community Development Association. The report was presented by Vice Chairman Tella Babatunde.

Following the presentation, Babatunde moved for the adoption of the resolution, which was seconded by Olusegun Kaka and approved by the House through a voice vote.

Subsequently, Majority Leader Yusuf Sheriff proposed converting the Committee’s recommendations into a formal House resolution. This motion was seconded by Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye and unanimously supported by the House.

The report includes the following observations: “Given the allegations made by the petitioners and the respondent’s failure to attend the House’s invitation, the Committee conducted an on-site assessment of the disputed land. It was found that there is a conflict between Agboro-Olatunde villagers and Oba Taofeek Owolabi over land in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area. The monarch allegedly engaged a developer who cleared over 30 hectares of village land, destroying cash crops worth millions of naira.”

The report also notes, “The monarch had no valid title documents for the land in question, and his actions violate Ogun State’s Anti-land Grabbing Law of 2016.”