By JKNM
CRIMINAL CHARGES have been filed by the Ogun State Government against two traditional rulers and other individuals over allegations of land grabbing across the state.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, disclosed this in a statement, confirming that the state filed charges of forceful takeover of land and forcible entry contrary to law.
According to the statement, Oba Fatai Matanmi, the Onijoko of Ijoko Ota, was charged after investigations revealed that he sold a parcel of land in 1976 for ₦22,000 to the late Madam Irokosu.
It was noted that during her lifetime, Madam Irokosu fenced the land and sold it in 2016 to a complainant who immediately took possession.
Following her demise, Oba Matanmi allegedly began harassing the complainant, claiming that Madam Irokosu owed him a balance of ₦28,000.
The statement explained that despite the claim being unfounded, the complainant paid ₦5,000,000 to Oba Matanmi in an attempt to settle the matter peacefully.
However, the harassment continued, leading to charges being filed in case number HCT/84R/2025, The State v. Oba Fatai Matanmi.
Similarly, the statement confirmed that Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi, the Olu of Orile-Igbon in the Igbesa area of Ogun State, was charged with forceful entry and unlawful appropriation of land belonging to a complainant and several others.
He was alleged to have used intermediaries and relied on a judgment obtained against third parties to attach and enforce claims on land located more than one kilometre from the judgment area.
The statement added that Oba Olasunkanmi subsequently displaced legitimate occupants from their land. His arraignment has been fixed for Thursday, 25 September 2025.
The Attorney-General further revealed that charges had also been filed against two individuals, Chief Lekan Agbogun and Chief Akinbowale Beckley, for allegedly selling land without authority in the Mosafejo area of Abeokuta.
It was stated that the accused connived to sell a complainant’s property to an overseas buyer, despite lacking any title documents or claims to the land and despite the presence of the complainant’s existing building on the property.
Ogungbade, while stressing that the defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty, said the cases underscored the government’s determination to act against unlawful land activities.
“While these defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the State has filed these charges as a further demonstration of the State’s commitment to tackle land grabbing and criminal dealings regarding land,” Ogungbade stated.
He assured the public that the government would continue to take action against land grabbing irrespective of the personalities involved, once facts justified prosecution and public interest required it.
“The State Government assures the public that no matter the personalities involved, where the facts warrant and it is in the public interest to do so, the State will resist and redress all land grabbing actions that come to its notice,” Ogungbade added.
