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Akinlaja Condemns Land Grabbing, Other Growing Crisis Threatening Property Rights, Hails Ondo Govt’s Proactive Roles*
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa and Prosper Olayiwola
A former member of the House of Representatives and former deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Hon. (Comrade) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja has lent his voice in condemning land grabbing, describing it as an illegal acquisition of land through force, intimidation, or manipulation, a heinous crime he noted should be condemned in its entirety.
The foremost labour leader and astute politician who in May 2025 was appointed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as one of the members of Ondo State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing commended Ondo State government for taking decisive steps in nipping the menace in the bud no matter whose ox is gored.
Akinlaja while reiterating one of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s position on land grabbing said, “Land is more than just property. It is our heritage, a birthright, and the foundation of community identity. We will not stand by and allow criminal elements rob our people of what rightfully belongs to them.”
Highlighting the grave consequences of land grabbing, including the destruction of property and loss of lives, Akinlaja in chat with some newsmen at his Ondo residence on Monday emphasised the need for a collaborative approach in tackling this issue and further reiterated the commitment of the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration to eradicating land grabbing scourge and it’s devastating consequences.
According to him, to effectively tackle the menace of land grabbing, concerted efforts from the government, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary are required. Stronger institutional reforms, improved land registration systems, public awareness, and stringent enforcement of land ownership laws are essential to safeguarding property rights and promoting economic growth in our country.
“Only through a comprehensive and collaborative approach can the devastating effects of land grabbing be mitigated, restoring peace, stability, and confidence in the land ownership system across board.
Continuing, Akinlaja said, “Land grabbing is driven by rapid urbanisation, increasing land values, and weak enforcement of land ownership laws. This menace has far-reaching social and economic consequences, affecting property development, security, and public confidence in the legal system.
Unlike other states the leadership of Ondo State is leaving no stone unturned in stemming the tide and they must be commended for standing firm for justice, decency, peace and decorum.
“From my independent and patriotic research, I have discovered that land grabbing syndicates often involve powerful individuals and gangs known as “Omo Onile,” target legally owned land. These gangs employ tactics of harassment, violent eviction, and even fraudulent land sales to dispossess rightful landowners.
“As we all know that in city centres and other fast-growing communities, the high demand for land has intensified disputes and conflicts, often leading to violent confrontations and displacement of rightful landowners.
Similarly, areas that are densely populated and in some instances where there are industrial estates, such juicy areas have become a prime target for these illegal activities. Land grabbers over there take the opportunity and liberty of exploiting legal and administrative loopholes to seize properties, undermining the economic growth of these areas. This is totally unacceptable.
“Recognising the severity of this issue, some states took legislative steps to curb land grabbing and impressively Ondo State is taking a lead in this. States that have taken bold steps by introducing Property Protection Law to criminalise the illegal occupation of land and to protect landowners from forcible eviction deserve to be commended and celebrated.
“It must also go beyond mere legislation, another setback that should be contended headlong is corruption within the system, coupled with the power and influence of land-grabbing cartels, which has somewhat made it difficult to fully enforce the laws.
Judicial processes are often slow, and victims are left frustrated as they struggle to reclaim their land. This disappointing and frustrating situation also needs to be obliterated.
“In Ondo State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo is hands-on and doing brilliantly well. He is consistently blocking every loophole, making it grossly uncomfortable for land grabbers to survive in our state through the legitimate and unbiased use of instruments of the law. In addition, I am confident that the creation of the Task Force will help to resolve numerous disputes, and the scale of the problems would be reduced drastically in Ondo State.”
News
BREAKING : Court orders final forfeiture of ₦150m kinked to Delta HoR member
A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of ₦150 million linked to serving House of Representatives member, Nicholas Mutu, to the Federal Government.
The ruling was delivered by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik after the court upheld an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court held that the funds should be permanently forfeited after no convincing explanation was provided to show why the money should not be seized by the government.
The forfeiture followed earlier proceedings in which the court granted an interim order against the funds.
The court also directed that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to challenge the application.
However, after the publication and the expiration of the required period, no sufficient cause was shown before the court to stop the permanent forfeiture.
The EFCC told the court that its investigation linked the money to alleged corrupt dealings involving Mutu during his time as chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission.
According to the anti-graft agency, the lawmaker allegedly received kickbacks running into over ₦400 million from a consultant working with the NDDC.
The commission argued that part of the funds traced during investigations included the ₦150 million now ordered forfeited.
After reviewing submissions from both parties, Justice Abdulmalik ruled in favour of the EFCC and granted the final forfeiture order.
Mutu, a long-serving federal lawmaker from Delta State, remains a serving member of the House of Representatives.
News
Photos: “I Directed Wike To Build Roads Before Asking Nigerians to Move into Renewed Hope Estate, He Has Done It” – Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, disclosed that he directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to provide roads and other engineering infrastructure to the 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana before residents could occupy the estate, and the minister wasted no time in carrying out the directive.
The President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, made the disclosure while commissioning the 10.5-kilometre Access Roads to the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in Karsana West District, Abuja.
He said the completion of the road network fulfilled the directive he gave during the groundbreaking of the housing project, stressing that no housing estate could function without access roads and supporting infrastructure.
“When I performed the groundbreaking for the 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City here in Karsana, I gave one clear directive: provide the roads, provide the engineering infrastructure, and unlock this district for development. Housing without access is a blueprint without a building.
“For too long, Abuja’s story was ‘awarded and abandoned contracts’. Today, we are ending that story with roads that open, not ones that stall,” he said.
Tinubu said he specifically instructed Wike to immediately open up the district because “civil servants, families and investors cannot live in houses they cannot reach.”
“I gave that assignment to a Minister who treats deadlines as duties. I told the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, CON, that civil servants, families and investors cannot live in houses they cannot reach. ‘Open Karsana, and open it now.’ He took that brief, set the pace and delivered.
“When urgency meets quality, results follow. That is what you are standing on today.”
The President said the newly completed Arterial Roads N11, N16, N40 and Special Important Local Street 03 have linked Karsana West to the Outer Northern Expressway, making thousands of affordable housing units accessible, livable and secure.
He praised Wike for what he described as the visible transformation of the Federal Capital Territory, saying the minister had turned stalled projects into completed infrastructure.
“You took stalled corridors and made them active corridors. You brought the same urgency to Karsana that you brought to other districts and the area councils. You measure contractors by output, not promises. Minister, you have earned my trust and you have my commendation,” Tinubu added.
He also commended Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, engineers and officials of the FCT Administration for ensuring the project was completed on schedule and according to specification.
The President further praised Lubrik Construction Company for delivering the project after it was awarded the contract in February 2025, assuring contractors that his administration would continue to honour prompt payment for jobs delivered on time and to specification.
Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barr. Nyesom Wike recalled that Karsana was inaccessible when Tinubu performed the groundbreaking for the Renewed Hope Estate in 2024.
“For those of us who were here that day, I was imagining how anybody would come and live in this area because there was no road,” he said.
The minister disclosed that developers had expressed fears that their investments would become worthless without access roads, but he assured them the government would intervene.
“I told them, ‘It is Renewed Hope. Go home and sleep. We must construct the road in this Karsana district.’ Today, it is a different story.”
Wike said the project became possible because the Federal Government ensured prompt payment while the contractor fulfilled its obligation by delivering within schedule.
He also announced that the FCT Administration would next Wednesday, July 8, flag off the construction of Kaba- Kagini – Zaudna road following recent request by residents over its deplorable condition.
In her remarks, FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as another milestone in the implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the roads would boost economic activities, improve connectivity and expand access to affordable housing across the territory.
While celebrating the successful completion of the access roads, Mahmoud called on residents and stakeholders to take collective ownership of public infrastructure by protecting and preserving it for the benefit of present and future generations.
News
Just in: FRSC Starts 2026 Nationwide Recruitment
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has officially commenced its 2026 nationwide recruitment exercise, beckoning on qualified Nigerians to apply for various positions across its Officer, Marshal Inspectorate and Road Marshal Assistant cadres.
According to the Corps, the online application portal opened on Friday, July 3, 2026, and will remain accessible for four weeks. The recruitment exercise is completely free, with the agency warning applicants not to pay any individual or organization claiming to facilitate employment.
Interested applicants are required to submit their applications through the official FRSC recruitment portal at HERE
Available Cadres
The recruitment covers three major categories:
Officer Cadre – Open to holders of B.Sc., BA, HND and other relevant professional qualifications.
Marshal Inspectorate Cadre – Available for candidates with qualifications such as ND, NCE and other approved credentials.
Road Marshal Assistant Cadre – Includes opportunities for eligible SSCE holders, artisans and drivers, depending on the position.
Required Documents
Applicants are advised to prepare the following before beginning their application:
National Identification Number (NIN)
Educational certificates
Birth certificate or age declaration
Recent passport photograph
NYSC discharge, exemption or exclusion certificate (where applicable)
The FRSC also advises applicants to use their personal email address and phone number during registration and to ensure all information provided is accurate. Shortlisted candidates will be required to present printed copies of their completed application forms during the screening process.
The Corps urged interested Nigerians seeking a career in the Federal Government to apply early in order to avoid heavy traffic on the recruitment portal before the application window closes.
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