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‘Journalist Faces Threats’ Following Radio Show About Land Grabbing in Ogun State
Jamiu Folarin, a journalist and researcher, is concerned for his safety following threats from suspected land grabbers in Ogun State.
FIJ discovered that besides the reported threats on the journalist’s life, certain trespassers have invaded a parcel of land he purchased two years ago.
Folarin, who suspects that his investigative journalism conducted between September and November 2023 might have incited the threats, informed FIJ that the issues arose several months after he hosted a radio show discussing the issue of land grabbing in the state.
“The threats to my life started months after I hosted a radio programme on Rockcity 101.9 FM on the criminal activities of land grabbers in Ogun State. This was in September 2023,” he told FIJ.
“For the programme, Olakunle Oluomo, the then speaker of the House of Assembly, was invited. The programme dwelt on the modus operandi of land grabbers and how they had been threatening people in the state. Callers made a lot of complaints on the programme.”
“I believe there is a linkage between all of these because there was a trespass on my land in November. I got two plots of land through the Crescent University Abeokuta Cooperative Society (CRESCOOPS) two years ago, only for me to hear that some land grabbers had sold the land to another person. This land had been there without any issue for two years.
“When the land was allocated to me in 2021, the agreement was that CRESCOOPS would get the payment from my monthly salary between 2021 and 2023. I finished paying in December 2023; that’s the date on the receipt.
“I did four corner pieces on the land, but they destroyed all four and erected new ones with different names. The organisation acquired three acres of land, out of which I bought two plots, but the land grabbing started from my end. The land grabbers started encroaching on my own.”
According to Folarin, the intruders erected a mini-fence on his land located in Olaparun village, Abeokuta, and replaced the corner pieces with new ones bearing different names, such as Funke Jolaosho, Kabeer Salako, Bilikisu Salako, Deku/Ode City and Hon L and K.
**PETITION FOR POLICE PROTECTION, INVESTIGATION**
Folarin, who believes that there is a connection between his previous media engagements, the threats to his life, the encroachment on his land and a perceived attempt to stop him from further investigating the activities of land grabbers and government projects, petitioned the Ogun police command on Friday, March 22, 2024.
The petition was addressed to CSP Mustapha Opawuyi, the divisional police officer (DPO) at Sabo/Ilupeju Police Station in Abeokuta.
FIJ learned that the journalist and some of those who intruded on the land were subsequently summoned to the station on Saturday.
“Even in front of the police officers, one Lukman Kudaisi threatened me. He said he would deal with me. He said I was so lousy and that I had the audacity to be talking about land grabbers,” Folarin told FIJ.
However, when FIJ contacted Kudaisi on Monday afternoon, he debunked the claim that he threatened the journalist.
Ikudaiis said, “It is just a civil matter, but he claimed that I intimidated and threatened his life. He said there was malicious damage, but on getting to the site, nothing was damaged. He said somebody was calling him on the phone, harassing and threatening his life. They asked him to bring out the phone number. The whole thing is just an injustice to my personality. Why would I threaten his life?”
Also, the DPO of the police station told FIJ that there were no verifiable indications of threats against the journalist’s life.
“He reported the case here, forgetting that proofs are needed to prove a particular case. Land grabbing has to do with the issue of land ownership. He said he bought it through a cooperative society, and I said the cooperative had to come alongside everyone involved,” said CSP Opawuyi.
The DPO said, “He’s trying to put forward a criminal matter in respect of a land matter, and even if it is charged to court, will it give him his land? Those people he’s complaining against have a lot of land matters here, but it is not just to label or tag them as land grabbers. They, too, are families that have land over there, though most of the land has already been sold out by their forefathers, fathers, or even themselves.”
Meanwhile, FIJ learned that the journalist and other involved parties would be at the station on Tuesday, March 26, for a final interview by the police.
“I will listen to them again tomorrow and see how the matter will be resolved,” the DPO said.
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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