Suspected land grabbers in Ibadan may soon face tougher times as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has inaugurated a five-member committee to tackle the growing menace and related criminal activities.
The committee is made up of prominent legal figures including Chief Niyi Akintola, Barrister Musibau Adetunbi, Yinka Okunade, Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem, and Tunji Thomas. Tasked with addressing land grabbing from a legal perspective, the group has been granted the authority to co-opt experts from fields such as town planning, surveying, security, and the judiciary to strengthen their efforts, according to a statement from Oba Ladoja’s media aide, Chief Adeola Oloko. The inauguration was attended by members of the Olubadan-in-Council.
During the ceremony, Oba Ladoja underscored the shared determination of both the Oyo State Government and the Olubadan-in-Council to rid Ibadan of land grabbing, which he described as a “complex web of interests that must be untangled.” He told the committee members, “I know each of you very well. While we do not underestimate the gravity of your assignment, I have no doubt in your capacity and integrity to deliver results.”
The monarch directed the committee to begin work immediately and submit recommendations within 21 days. He explained that the legal advisory body was created to strengthen the existing committee on land matters led by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori.
Supporting the initiative, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, praised the timing of the move, highlighting that land grabbing has long been a source of conflict and insecurity for residents. He proposed that anti-land-grabbing tribunals be considered across Ibadan’s eleven local government areas to ensure prompt justice and serve as a deterrent.
On behalf of the committee, Chief Niyi Akintola expressed gratitude to the Olubadan and his council, describing their appointment as a call to public service. He assured that the group would work closely with the Oyo State Government and the people of Ibadan to tackle the menace, noting that the government maintains a zero tolerance approach toward land grabbing.
