An Ondo State Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of three individuals in correctional custody over allegations of illegal land acquisition and property-related offences.
The defendants, identified as High Chief Lateef Adelusi, Pastor Akintola Alaba, and Surveyor Adebiyi Olanibi, were arraigned on Tuesday on charges linked to land encroachment and unlawful property transactions.
The development was announced in a statement issued by the Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo (SAN).
According to the statement, the accused persons are alleged to have trespassed on land belonging to Mr. Akinnusi Folorunsho and others, unlawfully taken possession of the property, and illegally sold parcels of land owned by the Ojumu family.
Ajulo said the prosecution forms part of the ongoing activities of the Ondo State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, stressing that the government remains committed to enforcing the state’s Anti-Land Grabbing and Property Protection Law without exception.
He noted that the task force is also carrying out a comprehensive audit of government-owned lands and properties that have been illegally occupied across the state.
“This is only one stage of our assignment under the Anti-Land Grabbing and Property Protection Law. The law applies to everyone without discrimination,” he said.
The Attorney General expressed concern that even professionals entrusted with land documentation could become involved in unlawful practices, describing the inclusion of a surveyor among the defendants as evidence of the seriousness of the government’s enforcement efforts.
“When a surveyor, who should serve as a custodian of land records, is found on the wrong side of the law, it demonstrates that no one is above the law. We will continue to enforce the law without backing down,” he stated.
Ajulo also advised individuals occupying government land without proper authorisation to regularise their status where possible or vacate such properties before enforcement begins. He warned that the state would not tolerate fraudulent land transactions or the illegal allocation of public assets.
He further lamented reports that government-owned houses and other public properties were being sold illegally, despite the shortage of such facilities for official use.
“I am deeply disturbed that government houses, which are already inadequate, are being unlawfully sold. Even critical public assets have become targets of questionable schemes. Thankfully, some of these transactions have been stopped, and we will ensure that no government property is illegally transferred into private ownership,” he added.
