By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday condemned the persistent violation of the law prohibiting forceful entry, illegal occupation of landed properties and fraudulent activities related to land in the state.

The lawmakers expressed concern over the increasing involvement of miscreants in such acts.

During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Chief Olamide Oladiji, the House passed a resolution urging the Ministry of Justice to expedite the gazetting of the law to ensure its effective implementation by relevant authorities.

The Speaker recalled that on 24th December 2024, the House passed the bill, which was swiftly assented to by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on 31st December of the same year.

 However, he lamented that despite the enactment of the law, criminal activities related to land grabbing have escalated at an alarming rate.

According to him, since January 2025, the House has received more than ten petitions concerning land grabbers from various local government areas in the state.

Reading some of the petitions, the Speaker directed that any individual arrested for such crimes should be prosecuted within 48 hours, emphasizing that “justice delayed is justice denied.”

The House also set up a committee led by Ololade Gbegudu, the lawmaker representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, to investigate the petitions and report back within two weeks.

Furthermore, the lawmakers called on law enforcement agencies to take decisive action and support the government in curbing the activities of these criminals.

Meanwhile, the Speaker announced the dissolution of all standing committees in the House and directed that all committee properties be handed over to the Clerk.

In another development, the Assembly paid tribute to the late Temitayo Oluseye Oluwatuyi (Tuykana), a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG). A minute of silence was observed in his honour.

Describing his passing as a great loss to the state, the lawmakers noted that his legacy would endure. They praised him as a humble leader who maintained an open-door policy and served in various capacities.

The late Oluwatuyi was remembered as a philanthropist, a humane and pleasant personality, and a team leader who made significant contributions across different sectors.