News
Group commends Makinde and others for the apprehension of ‘notorious land grabber’ Olooto
The Pacesetter Volunteers Movement, a civil society group, has commended Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor Barrister Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Deputy Speaker Muhammed Fadeyi, the State Police Command, and the Department of State Services (DSS) for the recent apprehension of "notorious land grabber" Sesan Olooto by security personnel.
Currently in custody, Olooto stands accused of multiple unlawful land grabbing incidents in Ibadan, a series of events that peaked around three years ago, prompting the then Inspector General of Police to summon him to Abuja—an invitation he reportedly ignored.
A media report had said Olooto, believed to be widely connected to some serving and retired police chiefs, traditional rulers and officials of government shunned the invitation of the then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, over the destruction of a property worth N500 million in Orita Challenge area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
A Canada-based cleric, Pastor Edward Taiwo Soetan, had petitioned the IGP, seeking assistance to halt the threat to his life and further destruction of his property by Olooto and his gang.
On November 7, 2019, a civil rights group, Veteran Organization for Human Rights (VOHRI), had asked Governor Makinde and the then Commissioner for Police, Mr. Shina Olukolu to intervene in the alleged threat to the life of one Mrs. Sekinah Olohunosebi by the trio Olooto, Kehinde Apampa and Falilatu Opadijo, after Olooto and his gang forcefully took over an expanse of land belonging to the said complainant.
Also, in August, 2020, Justice O. S. Adeyemi of an Oyo State High Court granted an interlocutory order restraining the Ajingba family, their agents, heirs, successors, privies and assignees from the land, popularly known as Aruka/Oguntade near Odo-Okun, Ibadan, pending the determination of the suit they filed.
The family which is being represented by Olooto, Apampa, Lamidi Oyewole Ajingba and three others were the claimants in the suit pending before the court.
But there were reports that the claimants had continued to carry out various acts of aggression on the land such as violently attacking residents, uprooting pillars, destroying buildings, illegally selling the land still under litigation to unsuspecting members of the public, with the police refusing to take any action.
However, Pacesetter Volunteers Movement, in a statement signed on Saturday by its State Coordinator, Comrade Ola Adebayo, described Olooto’s arrest as long overdue.
He commended the state government’s anti-land grabbing unit for effectively combating criminal elements who have been unlawfully seizing people’s rightful lands over the years.
Adebayo expressed concern that certain traditional rulers in Ibadan, in opposition to the state government and the Olubadan-In-Council’s stance on holding all land grabbers accountable under the law, have been covertly attempting to secure Olooto’s release from detention.
The group cautioned against such actions and specifically acknowledged the efforts of the Mogajis in Ibadan, particularly under the leadership of Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, for ensuring that individuals like Olooto and other infamous land grabbers are prevented from continuing their illicit activities in the city.
“Any traditional ruler paving way or making efforts to allow the matter to be swept under the carpet should be seen as enemy of Ibadan people and residents and should therefore be warned against such ignominious actions,” he added.
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
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