The Ogun State Government has dragged the Onijoko of Ijoko Ota, Oba Fatai Matanmi, the Olu of Orile-Igbon, Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi, and two other chiefs before the State High Court sitting in Abeokuta over alleged land grabbing and related offences.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday, stressing that the state remains resolute in tackling land-grabbing activities despite the high-profile names involved.
According to court documents, the State charged Oba Matanmi with unlawful forceful takeover of land that had been legally acquired. The case dates back to 1976, when the monarch sold land to one Madam Irokosu for ₦22,000. After Madam Irokosu’s death, the land was sold in 2016 to a new buyer who took possession.
However, the monarch allegedly resumed harassment of the new owner, claiming Madam Irokosu owed him a balance of ₦28,000. In pursuit of peace, the complainant reportedly paid Oba Matanmi ₦5 million, yet the harassment allegedly continued, prompting the State to file charges in HCT/84R/2025: The State v. Oba Fatai Matanmi.
Similarly, Oba Olasunkanmi is accused of securing entry into land by violence in the Igbesa area of the state. Using intermediaries, he allegedly appropriated land belonging to several individuals, hiding under the guise of a court judgment against third parties. The monarch reportedly enforced the judgment on lands over one kilometre away from the subject property, displacing rightful occupants. He is expected to be arraigned on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Two other individuals, Chief Lekan Agbogun and Chief Akinbowale Beckley, are also facing charges for allegedly conniving to sell a complainant’s property in the Mosafejo area of Abeokuta to a foreign buyer without title documents.
The Commissioner for Justice emphasized that while the accused persons remain presumed innocent until proven guilty, the State is committed to ending illegal land practices.
“We will not fold our arms while innocent citizens are deprived of their rights through unlawful land grabbing, no matter who is involved,” Ogungbade assured.
#OgunState #LandGrabbing #ObaMatanmi #ObaOlasunkanmi #Abeokuta #NigeriaJustice
