Oyo Anti-Land-Grabbing Agency Says It Investigates Disputes, Not Ownership

The Chairman of the Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law Agency Task Force Unit, Justice Olajumoke Aiki (retd.), has clarified that the agency’s role is strictly investigative and not judicial, contrary to public misconceptions about its mandate.

Justice Aiki made this known while speaking on a television programme in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Her remarks were contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

According to the retired jurist, the agency operates under the Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law of 2016, which empowers it to carry out detailed investigations into land and property-related criminal allegations and take appropriate legal steps based on findings.

“This agency does not rule on land matters as it is not a court of law or a mediation centre. People have lots of misconceptions about our work here,” Aiki stated.

She explained that the task force’s focus is to address issues of land grabbing, fraudulent acquisition, and other forms of criminal conduct relating to property disputes, ensuring that offenders are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Justice Aiki further urged members of the public to approach the agency for assistance in cases of intimidation or illegal encroachment, assuring them of fair and transparent investigations.

She reiterated the Oyo State Government’s commitment to protecting genuine property owners and promoting peace and order in the real estate sector, stressing that the agency’s activities are aimed at curbing the growing menace of land grabbing across the state.

Commissioner Oyelade, in the statement, also reaffirmed the government’s support for the agency, noting that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration remains resolute in ensuring that property transactions in the state are guided by law and due process.