An Ondo State Magistrate Court sitting in Oke-Eda, Akure, has remanded a traditional ruler, Oba Adewale Boboye, over alleged involvement in forceful takeover of landed property in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
The monarch, said to be the Ajagunode of Ode Community, Igoba, was arraigned on Wednesday on allegations bordering on conspiracy, threats to life and unlawful takeover of land belonging to Olrof Company Limited at Igoba, Akure.
The prosecution alleged that the defendant threatened one Ajilegan through telephone conversations over the disputed property and allegedly used thugs to dispossess the rightful owners of the land.
According to the prosecution, the alleged actions were capable of causing a breach of peace and undermining lawful ownership of property in the state.
The case is said to be part of ongoing prosecutions initiated by the Ondo State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force in its clampdown on illegal land dealings, forceful acquisition of property and intimidation of landowners.
During proceedings, the court granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties.
The court ruled that one of the sureties must be a recognised chief or traditional ruler within the Akure Magisterial Jurisdiction with landed property to be verified by the court.
The defendant was also directed to provide affidavit evidence and documents supporting the titles presented by the sureties.
Pending fulfilment of the bail conditions, the monarch was remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre.
Reacting to the development, the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), warned that the government would intensify its crackdown on land grabbers and their collaborators.
Ajulo, who also chairs the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, said the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remained committed to restoring sanity to land administration in the state.
He warned that lawyers, surveyors, land agents and other professionals aiding illegal land transactions would also face prosecution.
According to him, land grabbing thrives through the support of collaborators who provide legal, technical and logistical assistance to perpetrators.
He said, “No one will be spared. The government is determined to protect genuine landowners and investors while ensuring that unlawful activities linked to land transactions are eradicated.”
Ajulo also commended the judiciary for supporting the enforcement drive through what he described as timely and firm judicial interventions in land-related cases across the state.
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