Court Remands Ondo Monarch over Alleged Land Grabbing

The Magistrate Court sitting in Oke Eda, Akure, has remanded a traditional ruler and two others over alleged involvement in fraudulent land transactions and illegal land grabbing in Ondo State. The defendants, Oba David Okunato, the traditional ruler of Osi community in Akure North council area, Tifase Folasade, and Nwaigbue Chijioke, alongside others said to […]

The Magistrate Court sitting in Oke Eda, Akure, has remanded a traditional ruler and two others over alleged involvement in fraudulent land transactions and illegal land grabbing in Ondo State.

The defendants, Oba David Okunato, the traditional ruler of Osi community in Akure North council area, Tifase Folasade, and Nwaigbue Chijioke, alongside others said to be at large, were arraigned before the court as part of the government’s efforts to tackle illegal land dealings across the state.

The prosecution alleged that the monarch had earlier sold about 750 plots of land to a company for development purposes, but later went ahead to resell parts of the same property to several other buyers, leading to disputes over ownership.

Trouble reportedly started when the company returned to begin development on the land and discovered that several individuals were already claiming ownership of parts of the property through fresh allocations allegedly made by the monarch.

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The development sparked disputes among the parties involved, forcing the matter to be taken back to the traditional ruler for clarification.

It was further alleged that the monarch later agreed to provide the company with another parcel of land as compensation, but allegedly went ahead to sell the same property to another buyer, further worsening the dispute.

The court subsequently ordered the remand of the defendants at the Olokuta Correctional Centre in Akure pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

The court granted bail to each of the defendants in the sum of Two Million Naira (₦2,000,000), with one surety each, who must be a recognised traditional ruler within the court’s Magisterial District, and a civil servant not below Level 14 who is resident within the Akure Magisterial District.

Reacting to the development, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, who also chairs the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, said the clampdown on land grabbers would continue until order is fully restored to land administration in the state.

Ajulo, who is currently attending the Justice Matters Conference 2026 in The Hague, said he is expected to present the reforms being implemented in Ondo State under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

He restated that individuals involved in illegal land transactions, forceful takeover of property, fraudulent resale of land, and actions capable of triggering communal unrest would face the full weight of the law.

“I must tell you that the issue of land grabbing is capable of driving away investors, especially those who genuinely intend to invest in Ondo State.

“We cannot fold our arms and allow criminal elements to destroy the investment climate and peaceful coexistence in our dear State.

“We are sending a strong and unmistakable message across Ondo State that the era of impunity in land dealings will no longer be tolerated, irrespective of status or influence.

“We are determined to restore confidence in land transactions in Ondo State and reinforce public trust in the government’s commitment to securing lives, investments, and property rights.

“Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has demonstrated uncommon courage, bold leadership, and unwavering political will in confronting the menace of land grabbing head-on.

“He has made it abundantly clear that no individual, no matter how highly placed, will be allowed to sabotage the peace, economic growth, and development of Ondo State through illegal land activities.

“The Governor has given a clear and uncompromising mandate-land grabbing must be eradicated in Ondo State. Therefore we remain committed to protecting genuine landowners, safeguarding investors, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in every part of the State.

“The message remains loud and unmistakable, the crackdown is active, uncompromising, and again, the law is a respecter of no one.

“Anyone found culpable will bear the full weight of the law,” Ajulo declared.