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Oyo govt charges judiciary on enforcement of land grabbing law

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The Oyo State Government has tasked members of the judicial arm of government to adopt the principle of substantial justice in dealing with the growing menace of land grabbing in the state, saying that the State had timeously risen to the occasion by passing an appropriate legislation to tackle the mischief of the land grabbers.

It also warned that the use of thugs, agents, consultants to attack occupants or demolish buildings based on purported court judgment without proper procedure shall be prosecuted under the Real Property Protection law (Anti Grabbers Law) to ensure the menace of land grabbing is finally curbed in the state.

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The government said that it initiated the Real Property Protection (RPP) Bill in 2016, passed into law and assented to by Governor Ajimobi on February 9, 2017 to curb the menace of land grabbers, explaining that Section 3 of the RPP law states that: “as from the commencement of this law, no person shall use force or self-help to take over any real property or engage in any act inconsistent with the proprietary right of the owner or occupant in the state”.

The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Oluseun Abimbola, in his speech at the weekend in Ibadan during the Special Court Session held in honour of late Hon. Justice Pius Aderemi, CON, JSC (rtd), said that a more worrisome dimension was recently introduced with the manner of enforcement some judgment creditors have gone about executing some recent Supreme court and high court judgments over expansive parcels of land, with the increasing use of thugs and brigades to seize possession.

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Abimbola stated that without prejudice to the rights of a judgment creditor to reap the fruits of his/her judgment, there are laid down procedure for the enforcement of a warrant of possession over real property, and there are statutory persons authorized to carry out that task, noting that other than bailiffs/Sheriffs of court supported by the police, no other person(s) have a legal right to enter into another person’s property in the name of executing a court judgment.

The Attorney General said that aiding and abetting a forceful take-over of land, threat or use of force, with or without offensive weapons, selling or offering for sale illegally taken over real property, or a beneficiary of such forcefully taken over land are all subject to prosecution under this law, stressing that professionals like Estate Agents, Estate and Land Surveyors, or even lawyers may be subject to prosecution should they be found to have played any role in the chain of events leading to such forceful take-over of Real property in Oyo state.

Abimbola said that Section 7(1) of the RPP Law states unequivocally that “Any person who without lawful authority uses or threatens violence for the purpose of forcefully taking over or grabbing any Real property for himself or for any other person, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for 15 years or a fine of N500,000 or both…
“(2). The right of any person to possession or occupation of any property shall not for the purpose of subsection (1) of this section constitute lawful authority for the use or threat of violence by him or anyone acting on his behalf for the property…(3) For the purpose of
this section an offence is committed whether or not the violence is… directed against the person or the property.

“Regrettably even since the commencement of this law, the police still sometimes charge culprits arrested for offences created under the RPP law, merely for malicious damage, a charge readily defeated by a defence of bonafide claim of right under section 23 of the Criminal Code, whereas under the RPP Law, a bonafide claim of right is no defence to a ‘vi et amis’ (force of arms) take-over of any land in Oyo state.

“My lords and your worships, permit me to humbly request of you when faced with such erroneously drafted criminal complaints, to please exercise your powers under section 215(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Oyo state 2016, which authorizes the judex to amend, alter, or reframe a defective charge once the ingredients of the charge discloses ‘land grabbing’ rather than mere malicious damage, or in any other case where the prosecution might have wrongly charged.

“This is the substantive justice the ACJL stands for, rather than surrender jurisdiction under the challenge of a preliminary objection predicated on an improperly framed charge. I therefore solicit the support of my colleagues at the Bar and the unwavering courageous Oyo state judiciary to join hands with the current administration to eradicate land grabbing in Oyo state.

“I commend our colleagues with whom I had engaged on recent developments in this respect for their quick intervention to avoid a breach of public peace and undue empowerment of brigands by their clients in the name of enforcement of court judgments,” Abimbola added.

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Oyo: Oseni Celebrates Dotun Sanusi, Lauds Contributions to Society

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated Ibadan-born businessman and philanthropist, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, on his 58th birthday, commending his contributions to enterprise, youth development and community advancement.

In a birthday message issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, Oseni described the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on Sanusi’s entrepreneurial journey and commitment to using personal achievements to advance the common good. He wished the celebrant good health, renewed strength and greater accomplishments in the years ahead.

Oseni noted that Sanusi’s transition from petroleum engineering to business and investments across various sectors demonstrated the value of vision, perseverance and strategic thinking. He said the businessman’s career reflected how identifying opportunities beyond conventional professional boundaries could drive business success, stimulate economic growth and create opportunities for others.

The APC chieftain particularly commended Sanusi’s investments in hospitality, agriculture, education and sports, including Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ilaji Farms and the International College of Arts, Science and Technology (ICAST). He noted that such investments could stimulate economic activities, generate employment and support community development, particularly by providing young people with opportunities to acquire skills and pursue productive ventures.

According to Oseni, the significance of entrepreneurial success extends beyond the businesses established and wealth accumulated to the opportunities created and lives positively impacted. He said Sanusi’s investments and initiatives demonstrated the importance of private enterprise in supporting economic development and improving livelihoods.

“Chief Dotun Sanusi’s birthday provides an opportunity to celebrate the value of enterprise and the importance of investing in people. Businesses become more meaningful when they create jobs, support education and open doors for others to fulfil their potential. These are important contributions to society, and I wish him continued success in his endeavours,” he said.

The lawmaker also acknowledged Sanusi’s philanthropic engagements and commitment to youth development, stressing that sustainable progress required deliberate investment in education, skills acquisition and initiatives that promoted self-reliance.

He added that government alone could not meet every developmental need, making responsible private-sector participation and community-focused interventions essential to improving livelihoods.

Oseni further recognised Sanusi’s involvement in Ibadan’s traditional institution and his connection to Yoruba cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of preserving indigenous traditions and values, noting that cultural influence was more meaningful when accompanied by service, peaceful coexistence and a commitment to the welfare of the people. He also urged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from Sanusi’s journey by embracing hard work, discipline, continuous learning and patience in pursuing their ambitions.

The lawmaker prayed for God’s continued protection over Sanusi and his family, wishing him many more years of good health, wisdom and fulfilment. He expressed the hope that the businessman would continue to expand his investments, support initiatives that improve lives and contribute to the economic and social development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria.

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‘Senators Are Not Governors, Council Chairmen’ – Oseni Explains Legislative Responsibilities

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has called on Nigerians to elect competent and accountable lawmakers, urging voters to understand the constitutional responsibilities of senators ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oseni warned that misconceptions about the role of senators could undermine effective political representation, particularly when lawmakers are judged primarily by their ability to provide infrastructure, tackle poverty or distribute money to constituents rather than their performance in lawmaking, oversight and representation.

He spoke on Thursday at a political conference organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ido Local Government Chapter, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The conference, themed “The Importance of Senatorial Governance and Representation in a Federal Democratic System,” brought together Christian leaders, political stakeholders, professionals, traditional rulers, youths and women to discuss the role of the Senate in Nigeria’s democratic development.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, identified three major challenges confronting senatorial representation: the election of unsuitable candidates, the failure of some elected senators to discharge their responsibilities effectively, and widespread misconceptions about the office.

He said these challenges underscored the need for greater public awareness of the constitutional duties of senators.
The Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) cautioned against holding senators solely responsible for youth unemployment, poverty, inadequate infrastructure and other development challenges without considering the respective responsibilities of the federal, state and local governments.

He also faulted the expectation that senators should routinely return from Abuja with large sums of money to distribute among their constituents.

“A senator is neither the Chief Executive of a senatorial district nor a replacement for the Governor or Local Government Chairman,” Oseni said.

He explained that the primary responsibilities of senators included making laws, conducting legislative oversight, representing their constituents’ interests and advocating policies, projects and programmes capable of improving their welfare.

According to him, effective representation goes beyond occupying a seat in the National Assembly, as senators are expected to serve as a link between their constituents and the Federal Government.

He added that their responsibilities included influencing national policies, advocating development projects, facilitating access to legitimate federal programmes and ensuring that the concerns of their constituencies received adequate attention in national decision-making.

“A senator is the people’s voice at the federal level,” he said, stressing that effective representation required ensuring that constituents’ concerns were heard and considered in decisions affecting the country.

Oseni described the Senate as a critical institution in Nigeria’s federal democratic system, given its responsibilities for lawmaking, accountability and national development. He noted that the choice of a senator had implications not only for the immediate interests of a constituency but also for the country’s broader political and developmental direction.

He said the CAN conference provided an opportunity to promote informed political participation, correct misconceptions about legislative responsibilities and encourage voters in Oyo South to make informed choices ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC chieftain urged voters to assess senatorial candidates based on their understanding of the legislative process, commitment to constituency representation, ability to scrutinise government policies and willingness to hold public institutions accountable.

He maintained that a better understanding of the Senate’s constitutional responsibilities would enable voters to set realistic expectations, demand accountability and evaluate their elected representatives more effectively.

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‎Oyo South: Sheikh Olafimihan Hails Oseni for N10m Inyass House Donation

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The APC Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Aderemi Oseni

‎Fadilat Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Olafimihan, the Balogun Faiydah of Yoruba Land, has commended  the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, for donating N10m towards the development of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass House in Modinat Elekuro, Ibadan.

‎Olafimihan, who organised a programme at the religious centre on Tuesday, said the donation was appreciated by the Inyass Unity Organisation, which is affiliated with Zumuratul Faiydah Tijaniyah Ibrahimiyyah of Nigeria.

Oseni, who represents the Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), attended the event, where he made the donation towards the development of the facility.

In a letter of appreciation dated October 13, 2026, the organisation thanked the lawmaker for his presence and financial support.

The letter partly read, “On behalf of the Inyass Unity Organization affiliated with Zumuratul Faiydah Tijaniyah Ibrahimiyyah of Nigeria, we sincerely appreciate your presence and generous donation at the event held at Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass House, Modinat Elekuro, Ibadan, on October 13, 2026.”

The organisation specifically acknowledged the N10m contribution, stating that the money was donated towards the development of the religious centre.

“We are deeply grateful for your donation of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira Only) towards the development of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass House,” the letter added.

‎Olafimihan also offered prayers for the lawmaker, asking Allah to reward him for his contribution and grant him success in his public service.

‎“May Almighty Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly and grant you success in your service to humanity,” the letter stated.

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