The Ogun State Government has filed charges against two traditional rulers and some individuals over land grabbing across the state.
The state government filed charges of forceful takeover of land against Oba Fatai Matanmi, the Onijoko of Ijoko Ota.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state, Oluwasina Ogungbade, investigations revealed that Oba Matanmi sold a parcel of land in 1976 for N22,000 to one Madam Irokosu, now deceased.
While alive, Late Madam Irokosu fenced the land and later sold the land to the complainant in 2016, who took possession immediately after the sale.
Following Madam Irokosu’s demise, Oba Matanmi harassed the complainant, claiming that the late Madam Irokosu owed him a balance of N28,000.
Despite the bogus claim, the complainant paid N5,000,000 to Oba Matanmi to maintain peace.
However, Oba Matanmi continued to harass the complainant, leading to the charges filed in HCT/84R/2025, The State v. Oba Fatai Matanmi.
In another suit marked HCT/77R/2025, The State v. Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi, containing charges of securing entry into land by violence against Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi, the Olu of Orile-Igbon. Oba Olasunkanmi, using intermediaries, unlawfully appropriated land belonging to the complainant and many others.
He commissioned the attachment of land and enforcement of a judgment in areas over one kilometer away from the judgment land, forcefully sending away legitimate occupants.
Oba Olasunkanmi is set to be arraigned on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Furthermore, the state has filed charges against two individuals, Lekan Agbogun and Akinbowale Beckley, who sold a complainant’s property in the Mosafejo area of Abeokuta without authorisation.
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The statement stressed that these individuals conspired to sell a third party’s property to a buyer overseas, despite having no title or claim to the land and despite the presence of the complainant’s existing building on the land.
While these defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the state has filed these charges to demonstrate its commitment to tackling land grabbing and criminal dealings regarding land.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
