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Olubadan Inaugurates Legal Committee to Tackle Land Grabbing in Ibadan
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has inaugurated a five-member legal committee to tackle the growing menace of land grabbing and other related crimes in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The committee, unveiled on Tuesday at the Olubadan Palace, includes prominent legal luminaries such as Niyi Akintola (SAN) and Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), alongside Yinka Okunade, Rahman AbdulRaheem, and Tunji Thomas.
In a statement by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, on Wednesday, Oba Ladoja said the committee was mandated to address land grabbing from a legal and policy perspective, describing it as a plague that threatens peace and development in Ibadanland.
The monarch gave the committee full authority to co-opt professionals from various fields, including town planning, surveying, security agencies, and the judiciary to aid their investigation and ensure justice is served.
He emphasized that both the Oyo State Government and the Olubadan-in-Council share the same goal of eliminating the menace.
“Land grabbing is like an interlocking web of complex connections involving diverse interests that need to be unravelled,” the Olubadan said.
“While we entertain no illusion as to the gravity of your responsibility, I have no doubt that you have the capacity to carry it out.”
The monarch urged the committee to submit its recommendations within 21 days and clarified that the new legal advisory body is intended to strengthen the existing land matters committee led by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, commended the move, describing it as timely and necessary.
“It has become desirable for Ibadan to take stringent action against land grabbing because it constantly puts our people in harm’s way,” he said.
“If possible, anti-land grabbing tribunals should be established in all the 11 local government councils in Ibadanland.”
On behalf of the committee, Akintola (SAN) expressed gratitude to the Olubadan and the council, describing the appointment as a call to national service. He also pledged collaboration with the Oyo State Government to strengthen efforts in eradicating land grabbing.
“The government itself is not favourably disposed to land grabbing,” Akintola noted. “Our committee will complement the state’s efforts to protect citizens and restore order.”
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several members of the Olubadan-in-Council, including Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Oba Kola Adegbola, Oba Eddy Oyewole, Oba Olubunmi Isioye-Dada, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, Oba Akeem Adewoyin, and Oba Adebayo Akande, among others.
Also present were dignitaries such as the Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Head of Service, Tajudeen Aremu, and the Ajiroba of Ibadanland, Soji Adejumo.
The formation of this legal committee marks a renewed determination by the Olubadan and Ibadan stakeholders to curb illegal land activities and promote peaceful development in the city.
