Olujigba, other Ondo Monarchs attend public hearing to back Anti-Land Grabbing Bill

By OUR REPORTER, Akure

The Olujigba of Ijigba, Akure South Local Government, Ondo State, His Royal Highness Ambassador Luyi Rotimi, was among traditional rulers and other stakeholders that took part in a public hearing held in Akure by Ondo State House of Assembly on a bill for a law to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in the state.

At the event on Tuesday December 17, 2024, the king and other stakeholders affirmed their support for the anti-land grabbing bill that, when passed into law, would enhance smooth running of land administration, protect land owners, attract investors and engender peace and development in the state.

The bill, sponsored by a lawmaker representing Ondo West Constituency 1 and Parliamentary Secretary of the Assembly, Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju,

The bill was said to have been committed to the House Committee on Lands end Housing after scaling through the second reading some months ago.

Stakeholders observed that land grabbing is becoming rampant in Ondo State, expressing optimism that when the bill is passed into law, it would eradicate forceful invasion and land grabbing while handling the land grabbers who perpetrate the illegal act.

The public hearing has traditional rulers, state cabinet members, Nigeria Bar Association, security operatives, civil society organisations, real estate agents, and the general public in attendance to contribute their input ahead of third reading of the bill.

While declaring the public hearing open, the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji who emphasized the importance of the bill, urged the committee members and stakeholders to do justice to the bill in the overall interest of the Ondo State people.

The Speaker said land grabbers have been a threat to property acquisition for decades and their activities include trespassing or encroaching on properties, forcefully entering or occupying another persons’ properties, selling property without a valid title and selling one and the same property to multiple buyers.

These anti-progress activities of land grabbers, the Ondo State Speaker said, must be tackled headlong.

According to him, the bill, when passed into law, will no doubt bring about sanity in the state as necessary sanctions await any the land grabbers once he or she is found culpable of committing the offence.

Earlier, sponsor of the bill, Hon Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, had explained that the bill seeks to provide laws regulating landed property, such as protection to land owners and buyers, criminalise agents who are not registered and penalise encroachers, among others.

Welcoming participants, Ogunwumiju said land grabbing and activities of unregistered agents are a major concern in the state which is why there is the need for all stakeholders to work together to address the issues.

He added that the bill, when it becomes a law, will address and criminalize such acts, give imprisonment up to 10 years for anybody that perpetrates forceful entry or takeover of properties, give up to 21 years for people who sell family land without the family head or secretary knowing about it.

Majority Leader and Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, in his remarks noted that the bill, when passee into law, would add value to the society.

Also, Chairman House Committee on Lands and Housing, Hon Abiola Oladapo, noted that the bill was coming at the right time and that issues surrounding the real estate industry in the state would soon be a thing of the past.

At the hearing, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Akinwumi Sowore, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN), Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matter and Special Duties, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, agreed that the bill would enhance the smooth running of land administration in the state and compliment the Executive Order recently signed by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

The Olujigba of Ijigba, Oba Luyi Rotimi, who spoke on behalf of others traditional rulers present at the event, described the bill as a welcome development pledging to support its full implementation if passed into law.

A memoranda was submitted by the stakeholders, who advised on portions of the bill they believed need amendment.