The Acting Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, has said land grabbing will no longer be tolerated in the state as offenders now face up to 15 years jail term as punishment.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Taiwo Adisa, on Sunday, quotes the acting governor as saying this while inaugurating the task force unit of the real properties law of Oyo State in Ibadan.
Lawal added that those who aid and abet land grabbers would also not go without being punished declaring that the state was ready to stamp out the menace of land grabbing.
Lawal said the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde placed a high priority on the peace, order and security of lives and properties in the state. He added that it would 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.
“It is, therefore, worrisome that land owners are now being disturbed on daily basis by the unchecked activities of land grabbers.
“Hence, the urgent need to frontally tackle that menace by properly checking and discouraging it.
“It is against this background that the Real Properties Protection Law, 2016 was enacted. However, the law has not taken effect due to the fact that the task force unit, which is the operational unit of the law, has not been in existence.
“Today, in demonstrating the political will of his Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde’s administration, the operational unit and powerhouse of the Law is going to be inaugurated.
“Inaugurating this Task Force Unit further underscores the recognition of this administration that its primary business is economic growth and maintenance of law and order, in consonance with its four cardinal objectives.
“Land grabbing will no longer be tolerated in Oyo State and under the Law, land grabbers can now be jailed for up to 15 years while those who aid and abet them will also not go scot-free.
“In setting up this Taskforce, we took into consideration 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.”
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.
