By Ado Oyeyemi
An Ondo State Magistrate Court sitting in Oke-Eda, Akure, has remanded a traditional ruler, Oba Adewale Boboye, over alleged involvement in forceful takeover of landed property in the state.
The monarch, said to be the Ajagunode of Ode Community in Igoba, Akure North Local Government Area, was arraigned on Wednesday on charges bordering on conspiracy, alleged threats, unlawful takeover of land, and the use of thugs to dispossess property owners.
The prosecution accused the defendant of allegedly threatening an individual identified as Ajilegan through telephone conversations over a disputed parcel of land belonging to Olrof Company Limited in the Igoba area of Akure.
According to the prosecution, the alleged actions were capable of breaching public peace, undermining legitimate ownership of property, and worsening insecurity surrounding land transactions in the state.
The case is said to be part of ongoing efforts by the Ondo State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force to clamp down on illegal land activities, including fraudulent sales, intimidation of landowners, and violent takeover of property.
After listening to arguments in the matter, the court granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties.
The court also directed that one of the sureties must be a recognised chief or traditional ruler within the Akure Magisterial jurisdiction with verifiable landed property.
The defendant was further ordered to provide affidavit evidence and documents supporting the titles presented by the sureties.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the monarch was remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre.
Reacting to the development, the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, reaffirmed the state government’s determination to tackle land grabbing and related offences.
Ajulo, who also chairs the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, warned that the government would not stop at prosecuting suspected land grabbers alone but would also go after professionals aiding such activities.
He specifically cautioned lawyers, surveyors, land agents, and other collaborators allegedly assisting illegal land transactions, stressing that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.
“We are widening the scope of enforcement because land grabbing does not thrive in isolation.
There are collaborators and enablers who provide technical, legal, and logistical support to these criminal activities. Let it be clear that no one will be spared,” he said.
The commissioner added that the administration of Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa remained committed to restoring sanity to land administration and protecting genuine property owners and investors in the state.
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Ajulo also commended the judiciary for its cooperation and commitment to ensuring justice in land-related cases across Ondo State.
