Land Grabbers Risk 15-yr Imprisonment As Oyo Demolishes Illegal Structures On Gov’t Lands

The Oyo State government has taken action against land grabbers in the state, warning that defaulters risk 15-year imprisonment

This as the State government demolished properties on illegally acquired government lands in Podo Area, along Top One Garden in Oluyole local government area of the State and Dizengoff at Kolapo Ishola Area of Ibadan.

Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Ibadan, said the lands are assets of the Oyo State Government, stressing that government will not tolerate any form of encroachment or illegal occupation.

Akin-Funmilayo emphasised that those currently working on the land were not the real owners of the land but “purely land grabbers”.

“In accordance with Section 3, Subsection 1 of the Oyo State Real Property Protection Law, 2017, any person who engages in land grabbing or related activities shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 15 years,” he added.

The Commissioner further explained that the government had sent notices of revocation to occupants of the Podo through a newspaper publication on September 25, 2012.

According to him, the land was also gazetted the same year, indicating its acquisition for a neighbourhood market.

He said that despite the state government’s efforts, the illegal occupants took the government to court, but judgement was, however, delivered in favour of the state government.

The commissioner, however, noted that the government was ready to settle with land owners with genuine Certificates of Occupancy (CofOs).

“The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has declared zero tolerance for land grabbing activities, and ensuring that the state’s assets are used for the benefit of all citizens,” Akin-Funmilayo added.