Olubadan Sets Up Anti-Land Grabbing Legal Committee
…As Monarch warns land grabbers of tough consequences in Ibadanland
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has warned land grabbers operating in Ibadan to desist or face severe consequences, saying their activities have brought disrepute and hardship to the ancient city.
The monarch issued the warning on Tuesday at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, during the inauguration of a five-member legal advisory committee established to tackle the menace of land grabbing from a legal standpoint.
Members of the committee are Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN; Barrister Musibau Adetunbi, SAN; Mr. Yinka Okunade; Mr. Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem; and Mr. Tunji Thomas. Barrister Adetunbi, SAN, was absent at the inauguration.
Oba Ladoja charged the committee to co-opt relevant professionals from fields such as town planning, surveying, security agencies, as well as members of the bar and bench, to enable them effectively confront land grabbing in Ibadanland.
Flanked by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, the monarch noted that both the Oyo State Government and the traditional institution were aligned in their resolve to rid Ibadan of land grabbing, describing the menace as a complex web of interlocking interests that must be carefully unravelled.
“I know each of you very well. While we entertain no illusion as to the gravity of your responsibility, I have no doubt in my mind that you have the capacity to carry out the assignment,” Oba Ladoja told the committee.
He directed the committee to commence work immediately and submit its recommendations within 21 days, clarifying that the newly inaugurated legal advisory committee was meant to strengthen the existing land matters committee headed by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori.
In his remarks, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, supported the Olubadan’s stance, stressing that decisive action had become necessary as land grabbing continued to endanger lives and property.
He suggested the establishment of anti-land grabbing tribunals across the 11 local government areas in Ibadanland, if feasible.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, expressed appreciation to the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council for the opportunity to serve Ibadanland.
He described the assignment as a call to service and appealed for the cooperation of the Oyo State Government and the people of Ibadan in combating land grabbing.
According to him, the Oyo State Government is firmly opposed to land grabbing, adding that the committee’s work would complement the government’s ongoing efforts to eradicate the practice.
The Olubadan-in-Council meeting was attended by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Otun Olubadan-Designate, Oba Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, Oba Olubunmi Isioye-Dada; Osi Olubadan-Designate, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Asipa Olubadan-Designate, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Akeem Adewoyin; and Ekerin Olubadan-Designate, Oba Adebayo Akande.
Also present were the Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Head of Service, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, as well as the Ajiroba of Ibadanland, Prof. Soji Adejumo.
