Ogun drags two monarchs, chiefs to court over land grabbing

The Ogun State Government has arraigned two traditional rulers and some individuals for alleged land grabbing in parts of the state.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

According to him, the Onijoko of Ijoko-Ota, Oba Fatai Matanmi, is standing trial for alleged unlawful takeover and forcible entry of land.

Investigations revealed that the monarch had in 1976 sold a parcel of land for ₦22,000 to the late Madam Irokosu, who fenced the property and later resold it in 2016 to the complainant.

After Madam Irokosu’s death, the government alleged, Oba Matanmi began harassing the new owner, claiming that the deceased owed him a balance of ₦28,000.

Despite reportedly collecting ₦5 million from the complainant “to let peace reign,” the monarch allegedly continued the harassment, prompting the filing of charges under suit number HCT/84R/2025: The State v. Oba Fatai Matanmi.

Also charged is the Olu of Orile-Igbon in Igbesa, Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi, accused of using proxies to forcibly take over land and eject lawful occupants. He allegedly extended a court judgment against third parties to lands located over a kilometre away from the original judgment site. He is expected to be arraigned on Thursday, September 25.

In another case, Chief Lekan Agbogun and Chief Akinbowale Beckley were docked for allegedly conniving to sell a complainant’s land at Mosafejo, Abeokuta, to an overseas buyer, despite an existing building on the property and without legal authority.

Ogungbade reiterated the government’s resolve to stamp out land grabbing in the state.

“No matter the personalities involved, once facts warrant and public interest demands, the State will resist and redress all land grabbing actions brought to its notice,” he said.