The Acting Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdulroheem Bayo Lawal, has declared that land grabbing will no longer be tolerated in the state as offenders now face up to 15 years jail term.
The Acting Governor made this known while inaugurating the Task Force Unit of the real properties law of Oyo State at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan.
He added that those who aid and abet land grabbers will also not go scot-free, declaring that the State is set to stamp out the menace of land grabbing.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Acting Governor as stating that the administration places high priority on the peace, order and security of lives and properties in the state, adding that it will leave no stone unturned in its determination to sustain peace and security.
Lawal explained that the law would protect the rights of property owners, while putting a stop to the nefarious activities of land merchants, who he said, willfully and violently seize people’s land.
“In setting up this Taskforce, we took into considerations several public and private stakeholders in land management and security service.
“The Task Force will be headed by a retired judge of the Oyo State High Court, His Lordship, Honourable Justice O.I. Aiki, a jurist of high repute. “Members of both the public and private bar of the Nigerian Bar Association are included, while officials of relevant ministries, departments and agencies as well as the Institute of Estate surveyors and Valuers are all included
“I, therefore, entertain no doubt whatsoever that with the inauguration of this Task Force Unit, real property owners in the State will have a new breath of Life.”
In her response, the Chairman of the Task Force, Justice Olajumoke Aiki (retd), who spoke on behalf of the committee, pledged to protect the rights of property owners, prohibit illegal occupation and violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to real properties in Oyo State.
