Aiyedatiwa Declares War on Land Grabbing, Unveils Task Force Team

…as Governor fumes over violent disputes, fraudulent resale, and ‘Omo-Onile’ extortion

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday inaugurated the State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing, declaring an all-out war against land-related crimes and vowing to restore sanity to land administration across the state.

Speaking at the ceremony in Akure, Aiyedatiwa decried the surge in violent land disputes, fraudulent resale of land, and illegal charges imposed by self-styled land owners known as “Omo-Onile”. He warned that his administration would no longer tolerate criminal acts that dispossess citizens of their legitimate property.

“Land is not just property — it is our heritage, our identity, and the foundation of community life,” he said. “We will not allow lawless elements to continue to dispossess our people.”

The Governor announced stringent penalties enshrined in a newly enacted law, including:

21 years’ imprisonment for unlawful resale of property

10 years for forceful acquisition or encroachment

5 years or ₦5 million fine for illegal occupation

7 years for violating real estate transaction laws

2 years for illegal levies or extortion

The law, passed by the Ondo State House of Assembly and signed by the Governor on December 30, 2024, empowers the government to take decisive action against land grabbers and restore public confidence in land transactions.

Governor Aiyedatiwa praised the House of Assembly for its legislative foresight and commended the Attorney-General, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, alongside the Ministry of Justice, for crafting what he described as a “visionary legal framework.”

He urged the newly inaugurated Task Force to carry out its mandate with integrity, fairness, and full adherence to the law, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with ministries, traditional institutions, and community stakeholders.

The 14-member Task Force includes:

1. Dr. Kayode Ajulo – Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice

2. Engr. Olawoye Ayorinde Abiola – Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing

3. CP Wilfred Afolabi – Commissioner of Police

4. Chief Adetunji Adeleye – Commander, Amotekun Corps

5. Surv. Idowu Owolabi – Surveyor-General

6. Mr. Adesanya Adelana – Ministry of Justice Representative

7. Mr. Akin Ogundipe – Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development

8. Mr. Maxwell Adelosoye – Representative, Local Government Authorities

9. Surv. John Kemini – Representative, Local Government Authorities

10. Olabanjo Aiyenakin, Esq. – Civil Society Representative

11. Hon. Joseph Iranola Akinlaja – Community Rep (Central)

12. Dr. Tunji Abayomi – Community Rep (North)

13. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN – Community Rep (South)

14. Barr. Aiyegbusi Festus Olabode – Task Force Coordinator/Secretary

In his address, Attorney-General Ajulo reiterated the urgency of addressing land-related crises, noting that unresolved land issues are at the root of many communal clashes across the state.

Also speaking, Hon. MoyinOlorun Ogunwumiju, sponsor of the bill and member representing Ondo West Constituency I, expressed appreciation to the Governor for backing the legislation even before its passage, referencing a prior Executive Order against land grabbing.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Housing, Edward Ogumola, described the Task Force’s creation as a turning point for land governance in Ondo State.

Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; and Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, among others.