Following series of petitions to the joint Committee on Land and Housing and Human Right and Democratic Governance in the Oyo State House of Assembly, the House has directed the commissioner and Permanent Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Land and Housing to appear before the committee over alleged unlawful acquisition of land by some officials in the former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration.
Also to appear before the House joint committee is the state’s Surveyor General to give details report of land acquired during the eight years of Ajimobi’s government.
This move is as a result of series of petitions to the joint Committee on Land and Housing and Human Right and Democratic Governance in the Assembly.
The House has therefore directed the commissioner and Permanent Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Land and Housing to appear before its committee over alleged unlawful acquisition of land by some officials in the former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration.
Also to appear before the House’s joint committee is the state’s Surveyor General to give detailed report of land acquired during the eight years of Ajimobi’s government.
Hon. Babajide Adebayo, representing Ibadan North state constituency two in the House, in his motion on the “Need to Investigate Alleged Unlawful Acquisition of Lands Belonging to Individuals and Family,” disclosed that many citizens and residents of the state have been clamouring over alleged Unlawful acquisition of their lands by some government officials of the immediate past administration in the state.
The lawmaker said that many of these lands were acquired under the guise of farming and agricultural purposes but have diverted them to personal use.
It is a common knowledge that the Kola Daisi University is owned by notable Ibadan High Chief who is also an in-law of Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Hon. Babajide, revealed that as the Chairman, House Committee on Human Right and Democratic Governance, he has received series of petitions on alleged Unlawful acquisition of lands in some parts of the state.
The lawmaker list lands around Omu, Onidundu, Adamaro village, Olorisa-Oko all in Akinyele Local Government as parts of the areas lands were acquired.
Other areas mentioned included Olopo Meta, Alawusa, Agbeka, Agbajoye, Ogun Silewa, Kotoke and Oguntilewa.
Hon. Babajide explained that if there is need for land acquisition by the state government, there should be enough consultation and adequate compensation for the land owners.
In his own revelation, Hon. Owolabi Olusola, representing Ibadan North East state constituency two, disclosed that over 300 hectares of land were unlawfully acquired by officials in the past government for the purpose of the establishment of Kola Daisi University.
The lawmaker said that the initial 50 hectares unlawfully acquired was challenged by the owner’s family, Okunola Akinyele in the court of law.
He said further that the court of law ruled that the status quo should remain on the case, that 50 hectares already acquired should be left for government without any further step.
Hon. Owolabi alleged that a week after the court judgment, some government officials went back to acquire additional 150 hectares.
He noted further that towards the end of ex-Governor Ajimobi’s tenure, about 150 hectares was also unlawfully acquired to make it 300 hectares in total, all in Akinyele Local Government area.
Hon. Owolabi maintained that many communities, villages and settlements were affected because government failed to pay them compensation for the lost land.
The Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has therefore, directed the Commissioner for Land, Mr. Rahman Abdulraheem, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Ademola Ajiba and the state’s Surveyor General to appear before the joint committee on Land and Housing and Human Right and Democratic Governance to submit the reports on land acquisition by the immediate past administration for further investigation on the matter.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
