By Adesakin Adefemi
An Ondo State Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of three men in prison custody over allegations of illegal land seizure and unlawful property sales in the state.
The defendants – High Chief Lateef Adelusi, Pastor Akintola Alaba, and surveyor Adebiyi Olanibi – were arraigned on Tuesday on charges related to encroachment, takeover of private land, and illegal sale of family property.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued by Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN. He said the prosecution forms part of the state’s intensified crackdown on land grabbers.
According to the statement, the accused were charged with encroaching on land belonging to Mr. Akinnusi Folorunsho and others, as well as illegally selling property belonging to the Ojumu family.
Ajulo warned that the Ondo State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force would not relent in its enforcement drive. He said the law would be applied without fear or favour, regardless of the status of offenders.
The Attorney General stressed that the arrest of a surveyor among the accused underscored the seriousness of the clampdown. He noted that professionals entrusted with land documentation must be held to higher standards.
He described the case as one phase of a broader assignment under the Anti-Land Grabbing and Property Protection Law, adding that efforts were underway to audit government lands and properties that have been encroached upon statewide.
Ajulo also called on individuals occupying public land without proper approvals to regularize their status or vacate voluntarily. He said the government would not tolerate fraud or illegal allocation of public assets.
The Attorney General expressed concern over the illegal sale of government houses and critical state assets, saying some transactions had already been halted. He vowed that no government property would be unlawfully transferred to private hands under his watch.
