IN a bid to curb and tackle the unscrupulous activities of land grabbers in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on December 30, 2024 signed Anti-land Grabbing Bill into law under the supervision of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN. Since then, the anti-land grabbing law has emerged as a powerful instrument of reform that is changing the norms and narrative across the state.
LAND grabbing is not peculiar to Ondo State. Across several parts of Nigeria, criminal syndicates and desperate individuals have continued to exploit loopholes in land administration to illegally seize land or extort legitimate property owners.
The menace is no longer viewed merely as a civil dispute; it has become a serious threat to economic stability, investment and social harmony. Beyond its economic implications, the human cost of land grabbing is enormous. Families have reportedly lost ancestral properties through fraudulent transactions, while many individuals have exhausted their life savings in protracted legal battles over land ownership.
VICTIMS often recount painful experiences of purchasing land legally, only to discover that the same property had been sold to multiple buyers. Others narrate stories of thugs invading construction sites, demanding illegal levies or disrupting development projects under the guise of family ownership claims.
SADLY, the problem has not spared some traditional institutions. There have been allegations that some traditional rulers have abused the authority of their revered stools by revoking land legitimately acquired by their subjects and reselling such land to other individuals, sometimes using intimidation and the influence of their offices to enforce such actions. While these allegations should always be subjected to legal process, they underscore the urgent need for accountability in land administration.
THE administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has consistently reiterated its zero tolerance for illegal land occupation and fraudulent property trans
THE government’s resolve was further demonstrated through the enactment of the Ondo State Properties Protection and Documentation Law, 2024. The task force, chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, has reiterated that the Aiyedatiwa-led administration remains committed to eradicating land grabbing and other criminal activities associated with illegal land transactions in the state.
THE decision to appoint the Attorney-General to head the task force is commendable. It reflects the government’s determination to place the responsibility in capable hands. Equally commendable is the government’s decision to widen the scope of enforcement because land grabbing does not thrive in isolation. Itactions. Recent prosecutions and the remand of suspected land grabbers have demonstrated a shift from mere rhetoric to concrete enforcement. often involves collaborators who provide legal, technical and logistical support. Lawyers, surveyors, land agents and other individuals who knowingly facilitate or connive with land grabbers must equally be held accountable under the law.
THIS decisive approach demonstrates that the Aiyedatiwa-led administration is determined to restore confidence, order and transparency in land administration. It also sends a strong message that the era of using influence, violence, intimidation and fraudulent tactics to dispossess innocent citizens of their lawful properties is gradually coming to an end.
SINCE the commencement of the implementation of the law, several individuals allegedly involved in land grabbing, including those accused of using thugs to dispossess rightful landowners and threaten their lives, have been arrested and prosecuted. Among those arraigned are some prominent traditional rulers. while others have been remanded in correctional facilities pending the determination of their cases by competent courts.
DESPITE these commendable efforts, THE HOPE maintains that the fight against land grabbing requires sustained commitment. Prosecution alone may not be sufficient unless it is complemented by a more efficient land documentation system, the digitisation of land records, greater transparency in land administration and sustained public enlightenment campaigns.
THERE must also be speedy dispensation of justice. Land grabbing cases should not linger endlessly in court. The Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force must remain above board and resist every temptation of compromise or corruption. Similarly, the Chief Judge of Ondo State should consider designating a special High Court to exclusively handle land grabbing cases in order to ensure timely adjudication.
AS the government sustains its crackdown, we hope that the campaign will not only punish offenders but also establish a transparent, credible and secure land administration system capable of restoring public confidence in property ownership.
ULTIMATELY, the war against land grabbing in Ondo State is more than a legal battle. It is a struggle for justice, economic development, investor confidence and the protection of the constitutional rights of every citizen. The government must therefore remain resolute until the menace is permanently brought under control.