Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, has warned that the state government would prosecute anyone who illegally encroaches on government lands, occupies public property, or schemes to profit from government assets.
He alleged that some individuals and groups have unlawfully occupied, developed, sold, allocated, and laid claim to portions of government land and buildings without any legal backing.
The commissioner, who chairs the Ondo State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing, described these actions as illegal and unacceptable.
He warned that the state government would take decisive action against those culpable of these actions.
Ajulo noted that despite the Land Use Act vesting all land in the State in the Governor to hold in trust for the benefit of the people, weak enforcement in the past emboldened some actors to unlawfully appropriate public lands and properties for private gain.
His words, “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 disclosed that investigations are currently underway in multiple locations across the State.
Ajulo explained that the Task Force would undertake verification exercises, investigations, and lawful recovery processes before enforcement begins.
He said that anyone involved in the illegal occupation, allocation, sale, or transfer of government lands and properties would be prosecuted.
Also, he urged those currently occupying public land without valid approvals to either regularise their status where possible or voluntarily vacate such properties before enforcement operations commence, stressing that the government would not tolerate land fraud or the illegal allocation of public assets.
His words, “I am deeply shocked that some government houses, which are already insufficient to meet the needs of the government, are being sold illegally. As though that were not enough, even critical government assets are being targeted under dubious schemes.
“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.”
This development came as three individuals were arraigned before an Akure Magistrate’s Court over alleged land-related offences. Those charged included Chief Lateef Adelusi, Pastor Akintola Alaba, and Surveyor Adebiyi Olanibi.
They were arraigned on allegations bordering on encroachment on another person’s land, unlawful takeover of property belonging to one Mr Akinnusi Folorunsho and others, as well as illegal sale of landed property belonging to the Ojumu family.
In his reaction, Ajulo said the Task Force would continue to step up enforcement without compromise, insisting that there would be no backing down in the implementation of the law.
He described the current prosecutions as only one phase in a series of ongoing assignments under the Task Force’s mandate, adding that efforts are being intensified to take stock of government lands and properties that have been encroached upon across the State.
