Land snatching will no longer be permitted in Oyo State, according to Acting Governor Bayo Lawal, who added that perpetrators now risk up to 15 years in prison.
The acting governor reportedly said this when launching the task force unit for the Oyo State real estate law in Ibadan, according to a statement by the governor’s chief press secretary, Taiwo Adisa, on Sunday.
15 Years Imprisonment Awaits Land Grabbers In Oyo State | VIDEO
The statement also highlighted that individuals who help and abet land snatching will also not escape punishment and that the state was prepared to end the threat posed by land grabbing.
Lawal claimed that the state’s peace, order, and security of people’s lives and property were given top priority by Governor Seyi Makinde’s government. He continued by saying that it would do everything possible to maintain peace and security.
The statement reads,
“It is, therefore, worrisome that land owners are now being disturbed on daily basis by the unchecked activities of land grabbers.
“Hence, the urgent need to frontally tackle that menace by properly checking and discouraging it.
“It is against this background that the Real Properties Protection Law, 2016 was enacted. However, the law has not taken effect due to the fact that the task force unit, which is the operational unit of the law, has not been in existence.
“Today, in demonstrating the political will of his Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde’s administration, the operational unit and powerhouse of the Law is going to be inaugurated.
“Inaugurating this Task Force Unit further underscores the recognition of this administration that its primary business is economic growth and maintenance of law and order, in consonance with its four cardinal objectives.
“Land grabbing will no longer be tolerated in Oyo State and under the Law, land grabbers can now be jailed for up to 15 years while those who aid and abet them will also not go scot-free.
“In setting up this Taskforce, we took into consideration public and private stakeholders in land management and security service.
“The Task Force will be headed by a retired judge of the Oyo State High Court, His Lordship, Honourable Justice O.I. Aiki, a jurist of high repute.
“Members of both the public and private bar of the Nigerian Bar Association are included, while officials of relevant ministries, departments and agencies as well as the Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers are all included.”
In her response, the Task Force’s chairman, Justice Olajumoke Aiki (ret. ), who spoke for the committee, promised to uphold property owners’ rights and forbid violent and dishonest behaviour in regard to real estate in Oyo State.
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