Ondo court remands pastor, two others over land grabbing

A magistrate court in Ondo State has ordered the remand of three individuals, including a pastor, a high chief, and a land surveyor, in prison custody. They face allegations of land grabbing, encroachment, and unlawful property takeover.

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Those charged include High Chief Lateef Adelusi, Pastor Akintude Alaba, and Surveyor Adebiyi Olanibi, on allegations bordering on encroachment on another person’s land, unlawful takeover of property belonging to Mr Akinnusi Folorunsho and others, as well as illegal sale of landed property belonging to the Ojumu family.

The defendants, identified as High Chief Lateef Adelusi, Pastor Akintude Alaba, and surveyor Adebiyi Olanibi, were arraigned on multiple charges. These include encroaching on another person's land, illegally taking over property belonging to Mr. Akinnusi Folorunsho and others, and the fraudulent sale of landed property owned by the Ojumu family.

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This is only one phase of our assignment under the Anti-Land Grabbing and Property Protection Law. As you can see, the law respects no one.

Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, stated that the Ondo State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force is intensifying its enforcement efforts without compromise. He emphasized that the prosecution of these individuals is part of ongoing operations under the task force's mandate. Efforts are also underway to audit government lands and properties that have been encroached upon across the state.

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When a surveyor, who is expected to be a custodian of land documentation, finds himself on the wrong side of the law, it signals the seriousness of our enforcement.

Ajulo expressed shock at the extent of illegal activities, noting that even government houses and critical assets are being targeted under dubious schemes. He assured that the government has intervened to halt some of these transactions and will continue to act within the law to prevent government property from being unlawfully transferred to private hands. The Attorney General urged individuals occupying public land without valid approval to regularize their status or vacate the properties to avoid enforcement actions.

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We will continue to act within the law, but we will not retreat.