The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Lands, Urban and Housing Development, has taken action against land grabbers in the state by demolishing properties on government-acquired lands in the Podo Area, along Top One Garden, Oluyole Local Government, and Dizengoff, Kolapo Ishola Area, Ibadan.
This development was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, on Wednesday in Ibadan.
During the exercise in the affected areas, the Honourable Commissioner for Lands stated, “The lands in question are assets of the Oyo State Government, and we will not tolerate any form of encroachment or illegal occupation.”
He emphasised that those currently working on the land are not the real owners or users of the land but are “purely land grabbers.”
He added, “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.”
The Commissioner further explained that the government had sent notices of revocation to occupants of the Podo Area along Top One Garden, and a newspaper publication to that effect was made in the Tribune Newspaper on 25th September 2012.
According to him, the land was also gazetted the same year, indicating its acquisition for a neighbourhood market.
Despite the State Government’s efforts, the occupants took the Oyo State Government to court. However, judgment was delivered in favour of the State Government.
The Lands, Housing and Urban Development Commissioner noted that the government is ready to settle with landowners who possess genuine Certificates of Occupancy (CofO).
“The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has declared zero tolerance for land-grabbing activities and is ensuring that the state’s assets are used for the benefit of all citizens,” Akin-Funmilayo added.
