Land grabbers: Ogun Assembly seeks IG’s intervention

The Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, made the appeal during the plenary when the lawmakers took turns to report rampant cases of land-grabbing in their various constituencies while contributing to the debate on the second reading of the State Anti-land Grabbing (amendment) bill.

This was contained in a statement issued by the head of information of the state assembly, Lawal Jamiu.

Oluomo said that hundreds of innocent residents of the state had continued to languish in the various detention cells of the police both at Alagbon in Lagos and the Force Headquarters in Abuja, due to the connivance of land grabbers with some security agents against innocent members of the public.

He urged the IG to wade in to ensure that innocent people are not made to suffer on account of trump-up charges.

He advised that any land-related matters should be charged to court while promising that the new amendment to the bill titled: H. B. No. 006/ OG/ 2023– Prohibition of Forcible occupation of Landed properties, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, violence and other related offence ( Amendment) Law, 2023 would ensure a constitution of task force by the State Government to handle land-related matters.

Earlier while opening the debate on the bill, the sponsor, Hon. Damilola Soneye lamented that the issue of land-grabbing had become rampant in the state, hence the need for the amendment to make the law more effective and efficient.

Other lawmakers including Deputy Speaker Bolanle Ajayi, Minority Leader Olalekan Adeleye, Honourables Samsideen Lawal, Waliu Owode, Olusegun Odunuga, Wasiu Ayodele, Fola Salami, Oluseun Adesanya, Babatunde Tella said the activities of the land grabbers had been affecting the peace, progress and development of the state, hence the need to take a holistic approach towards addressing the menace.

Meanwhile, the Assembly said it had also received a list containing the names of additional ten commissioner nominees from Governor Dapo Abiodun.

A release signed by the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service, Mr. ‘Deji Adeyemo, indicated that the new nominees would be screened by the lawmakers today at 2.00pm prompt.

The new nominees are Hon. Adeleye-Oladapo Adijat, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, Mr. Sofela Adebola Emmanuel, Hon. Ilori-Oduntan Olufemi, Engr. Dairo Oluwagbenga, Hon. Owootomo Bolu, Mr. Oresanya Oladimeji, Hon. Balogun Ademola, Mr. Osunbiyi Tunde and Mr. Fagbayi Sesan.