Ondo pledges to take legal action against those illegally occupying land, and reclaim state-owned assets.

The Ondo State Government has pledged to take legal action against those involved in the unauthorized occupation, sale, or encroachment of government-owned lands and buildings throughout the state, according to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN.

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Dr Ajulo made this announcement while discussing the ongoing efforts of the State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing, highlighting the need to address the issue of illegal land occupation and sale.

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He noted that numerous individuals and groups have taken over government land without permission, developing and selling it, which he described as "illegal and unacceptable", emphasizing that the Land Use Act grants the governor authority over all land in the state.

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The Attorney General expressed concern that weak enforcement in the past has enabled some individuals to exploit public assets for personal gain, resulting in the unlawful occupation and sale of government land.

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Ajulo stated that the Task Force has observed that some individuals have encroached on government lands and properties, while others have sold portions of these lands to unsuspecting members of the public, emphasizing that such actions are unlawful and will not be tolerated.

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Investigations are currently underway across multiple locations, with verification and recovery exercises set to precede enforcement actions, according to Ajulo, who warned that those found guilty of illegal occupation, allocation, or sale of government property will face prosecution.

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The Attorney General urged individuals currently occupying government land illegally to regularize their status or vacate the premises before enforcement actions begin, emphasizing the need to protect public assets.

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Ajulo expressed concern that government properties, which are already insufficient to meet public needs, are being unlawfully sold or diverted for private use, but noted that some of these transactions have been halted.

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He assured that the government will ensure that no public property is unlawfully transferred into private hands, within the scope of its mandate and through the instrumentality of the law.

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Meanwhile, three individuals - Chief Lateef Adelusi, Pastor Akintola Alaba, and Surveyor Adebiyi Olanibi - were arraigned before an Akure Magistrate’s Court over alleged land-related offences, including encroachment and unlawful sale of land.

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Ajulo stated that the Task Force will intensify enforcement actions "without compromise", adding that the prosecutions form part of wider efforts to recover encroached government properties across the state.