The Ogun State Government has arraigned the Olu of Obafemi, Oba Taofeek Kayode Owolabi, for land grabbing. The monarch, a coronet Oba and member of the Egba Traditional Council, is currently under suspension.
Oba Owolabi is accused of:
- Conspiracy to sell property without authority
- Sale of property without authority
- Unlawful use of agents
- Forceful takeover of land
- Assault of a police officer
- Obtaining by false pretence
Specifically, he allegedly laid claim to 500 acres of land in Obafemi Owode town and deceived a developer, Dr. Michael Adeyemi, into paying him ₦75 million. The monarch reportedly failed to remit the sum to the landholding families and placed thugs on the land, who attacked an individual, while he personally assaulted a police officer.
The Ogun State Government had taken several steps to call Oba Owolabi to order, including a summons by the State House of Assembly in July 2024. However, the monarch ignored the summons and instead filed two suits in court, which were defended by the Ministry of Justice. After withdrawing the cases, Oba Owolabi failed to submit to the House's investigations.
The Egba Traditional Council, led by the paramount ruler of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun A. Gbadebo, summoned Oba Owolabi several times, but he defied the invitations. The Council's Ethical Committee also engaged Oba Owolabi, but to no avail. Consequently, on December 13, 2024, the Egba Traditional Council suspended Oba Owolabi from his office as Olu Obafemi for conducting himself in a manner unbecoming of a traditional ruler.
Although Oba Owolabi has perfected his bail conditions, his trial remains ongoing. The Ogun State Government remains committed to seeing justice done and assures the public of its efforts to restore sanity to land administration in the state.
The government urges the public to have faith in its efforts to combat land grabbing and to resist all land grabbers, regardless of their position or status.