Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law Agency has disclosed that the state government has received a total of 2,215 petitions relating to forceful take-over of landed properties, otherwise known as land grabbing, in the state in the last two years.
Chairman of the agency, Hon. Justice Olajumoke Aiki (rtd), made the disclosure, and also revealed that 860 out of the petitions have been successfully resolved by the agency so far.
She added that the Oyo State government has put in deliberate efforts to strengthen the agency to arrest and prosecute suspected notorious land-related offenders in the state.
According to her, the statistical data record of the activities of the agency so far shows that the total number of forms obtained are 3363.
She added that the agency has arraigned 143 petition files in court, while 480 offenders have been prosecuted, all bothering on land grabbing.
Justice Aiki (rtd) also said 125 petition files have been kept in view, adding that these records are basically from 2023 till date, after skeletal works were carried out in 2022 when the agency was inaugurated.
Reacting to commendations received by the agency recently, Justice Aiki said the utmost commendation should be expressed to the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, for the mandate and support provided for the agency without interference.
“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, deserves all the accolades for the privilege given to us to serve the good people of Oyo State. Without his support with funds, operational materials and goodwill, we would not be so privileged,” she said.
She recalled a letter of commendation by the Balogun Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Taye Soyege, whose petition on a land grabbing dispute was thoroughly investigated by the agency.
In her petition, Chief (Mrs.) Soyege had alleged that certain individuals unlawfully invaded her land located in the Ido Local Government Area, accusing them of forceful entry, malicious damage, and threat to life.
Soyege wrote: “Their [the agency’s] discipline, professionalism, and selflessness in carrying out their assignments deserve the highest commendation.
“I sincerely salute their courage and commitment to duty, which reflect great honour on the institution they represent.”
Similarly, the Religious Sisters of Charity, under the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, expressed its admiration to the agency for its fair and diligent handling of a land dispute case filed against the congregation by one Mr. Kazeem Lasisi.
Investigations by the Task Force Unit of the agency revealed that there were insufficient evidences to support the petitioner’s allegations of land grabbing and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
Justice Aiki reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that land grabbing disputes in the state are handled with fairness, professionalism, and integrity, in accordance with the Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law, 2016.
