The Ogun State Government has initiated criminal proceedings against two traditional leaders and several other individuals over allegations of land-grabber-linked-to-3-deaths-lagos/” title=”Police Hunt Suspected …-Grabber After Tragic Deaths of 3 in Lagos”>illegal land acquisition across various locations within the State.
The traditional rulers implicated are the Onijoko of Ijoko Ota, Oba Fatai Matanmi, and the Olu of Orile-Igbon in Igbesa, Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi. They face accusations involving the forceful seizure of land, unauthorized entry, and the illicit sale of properties owned by rightful owners, as outlined in two separate legal cases numbered HCT/84R/2025 and HCT/77R/2025.
According to a statement released on Tuesday afternoon in Abeokuta, the State’s capital, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, emphasized that the administration led by Prince Dapo Abiodun is firmly committed to prosecuting land grabbers, regardless of their social standing or traditional titles.
In the case concerning Oba Matanmi, the Onijoko of Ijoko Ota, he is alleged to have unlawfully sold property that rightfully belongs to others. Notably, a legitimate owner had previously paid the monarch N5 million as restitution to preserve peace after the original seller, Madam Irokosu, passed away. Despite this, the monarch reportedly continued to harass the owner, prompting the aggrieved party to seek intervention from the state government, which subsequently filed the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Oba Olasunkanmi, the Olu of Orile-Igbon in the Igbesa area of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, stands accused of illegally acquiring land through agents and forcibly evicting lawful occupants from their properties.
Both traditional rulers are slated for arraignment on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Additionally, the State Government has pressed charges against Chief Lekan Agbogun and Chief Akinbowale Beckley for allegedly selling land in Mosafejo, Abeokuta, without proper authorization.
The pair are accused of deceitfully transferring ownership of a complainant’s property to an overseas buyer, despite lacking valid ownership documentation and the presence of an existing structure on the land.
Attorney-General Ogungbade reiterated that all accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty but highlighted that these cases underscore the Ogun State Government’s unwavering stance against land grabbing.
“The State Government assures the public that irrespective of the individuals involved, where evidence supports it and public interest demands, the State will confront and rectify all instances of land grabbing brought to its attention,” the AG affirmed.
