A traditional ruler in Ogun State, the Olu of Obafemi in Obafemi Owode Local Government, Oba Taofeek Kayode Owolabi, has been arraigned for land grabbing.
Oba Owolabi was arraigned on Tuesday before a Chief Magistrate Court by the Ogun State government.
Recalled that the Oba was on December 13, 2024 suspended for land grabbing by the Egba Traditional Council.
Oba Owolabi is a member of the Egba Traditional Council.
Government confirmed the arraignment of Owolabi for the offence of land grabbing in a statement on Wednesday.
Oba Owolabi is accused of laying an unlawful claim to 500 acres of land within Obafemi Owode town and deceiving a developer, one Dr. Michael Adeyemi, into paying him ₦75 million for the land.
Government, however, said that Oba Owolabi refused to remit the money to the original families that owned the land.
The traditional ruler was also accused of hiring thugs to mann the land, saying that the thugs macheted one individual, while the Oba personally attacked a police officer from the task force combating land grabbing in Ogun State.
Specifically, the Ogun State Ministry of Justice, said Owolabi was arranged for offences bordering on conspiracy to sell property without authority, sale of property without authority, unlawful use of agents, forceful takeover of land, assault of a police officer, and obtaining by false pretence.
Government said it decided to arraign Owolabi after several steps taken
to call Oba Owolabi to order failed to yield the desired results.
“He ignored a July 2024 summons by the State House of Assembly, choosing instead to file two suits in court, which the Ministry of Justice defended.
“Oba Owolabi withdrew those cases subsequently but never submitted to the House’s investigations.
“The House Committee would eventually recommend that Oba Owolabi should be prosecuted for land grabbing.
“Under the leadership of the paramount ruler of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun A. Gbadebo, CFR, the Alake of Egbaland, the Egba Traditional Council summoned Oba Owolabi several times, but Oba Owolabi defied those invitations.
“The Ethical Committee of the Egba Traditional Council also engaged Oba Owolabi to no avail.
“Thus, on 13 December 2024, the Egba Traditional Council suspended Oba Owolabi from his office as Olu Obafemi for conducting himself in a manner entirely unexpected of a traditional ruler. That suspension is still in effect,” government explained in the statement.
The statement indicated that although Oba Owolabi perfected his bail conditions, his trial remains ongoing, while the Ogun State Government remains committed to seeing justice done.
“We would like to assure all members of the public to keep faith with our efforts to restore sanity to land administration in Ogun State and to draw confidence from our resolve to prosecute Oba Owolabi.
“As long as it is in our power to do so, we will resist all land grabbers, no matter how highly placed they appear to be,” the statement said.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
