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Akinlaja Condemns Land Grabbing, Other Growing Crisis Threatening Property Rights, Hails Ondo Govt’s Proactive Roles*
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.”
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Monday, demanded the immediate removal of the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, over the prolonged non-payment of Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowances to students across tertiary institutions in the country.
The students’ body also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full investigation into the handling of SIWES funds, alleging administrative failure, lack of transparency and possible mismanagement.
In a statement signed by the Assistant Secretary-General of NANS (National Headquarters), Comrade Adejuwon Olatunji Emmanuel, the association expressed deep outrage over what it described as the persistent and unjustifiable failure of the ITF to resolve the non-payment of allowances owed to thousands of Nigerian students.
According to NANS, for several years, students who participated in the SIWES programme have been denied their statutory entitlements despite repeated complaints, petitions and engagements by students’ bodies and other stakeholders.
The association said the situation has subjected students to severe financial hardship and undermined the credibility of a programme established to promote skills acquisition, employability and national workforce development.
“We note with grave concern that under the leadership of the Director-General of the ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, there has been no transparent, comprehensive or credible explanation to Nigerian students regarding the status of these outstanding payments,” the statement said.
NANS added that the continued silence, poor communication and lack of accountability surrounding SIWES disbursements amounted to a clear administrative failure and a breach of public trust.
While stating that it was not pronouncing guilt, the association said allegations of mismanagement and possible diversion of SIWES funds circulating among affected students were deeply disturbing and could not be ignored.
It therefore demanded the immediate removal of the ITF boss, describing his continued stay in office as untenable and inimical to accountability, transparency and institutional credibility.
The students’ body also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to take decisive action on the matter.
“Within fourteen days from the date of this statement, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, should either be removed from office by the appropriate authorities or honourably resign to allow for a transparent and unhindered investigation into the prolonged non-payment of SIWES allowances,” NANS said.
It warned that failure to act within the period would be interpreted as institutional indifference to the plight of Nigerian students and would compel the association to escalate its response through all available democratic means.
NANS further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene by ordering a comprehensive forensic audit of SIWES funds and ensuring that all outstanding allowances are paid without further delay.
“SIWES is not a privilege; it is a statutory entitlement. Any leadership that consistently fails to honour this obligation has failed its mandate,” the statement added.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has barred medically unfit pilgrims from participating in the 2026 Hajj, insisting that only those who meet approved health requirements will be allowed to travel.
The commission announced this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, saying the guidelines were in line with international health regulations and safety conditions set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Pilgrims diagnosed with certain medical conditions are not permitted to undertake the 2026 Hajj in line with Saudi Arabia’s international health requirements and safety conditions,” the statement read.
The commission said all registered pilgrims must undergo mandatory medical screening before visas would be issued, stressing that medical clearance was a non-negotiable condition for travel.
“Mandatory medical screening will be conducted for all registered pilgrims before any visa is issued. Medical clearance is a condition for travel,” NAHCON added.
The commission said all registered pilgrims must undergo mandatory medical screening before visas would be issued, stressing that medical clearance was a non-negotiable condition for travel.
“These measures are in place to protect pilgrims, ensure safe participation, and support the orderly conduct of the Hajj,” NAHCON added.
The commission advised intending pilgrims to liaise with relevant authorities for proper guidance and verification of their medical status.
“For guidance and verification, pilgrims should contact their State Pilgrims Welfare Boards or their registered Tour Operators,” the statement added.
NAHCON further stressed that compliance with the guidelines was mandatory.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), was on Monday taken into custody by security operatives shortly after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
Operatives of the Department of State Services reportedly picked him up immediately after he exited the facility. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission clarified that it did not re-arrest Malami.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Malami was released after meeting his bail conditions.
“He has been released. He perfected his bail conditions and was released this afternoon,” one official said. Another added, “He joined the DSS in their vehicle after his release.”
A video obtained by our correspondent showed Malami being led to a black vehicle shortly after leaving the correctional centre.
In the footage, he was heard asking, “Who is the oga among you? Can I see your ID card?”
Efforts to obtain comments from the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations, Favour Dozie, were unsuccessful, as calls to her phone were not returned.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, reiterated, “We didn’t pick him up after he was released.”
Malami’s release followed the granting of bail on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court granted bail to Malami, his wife, and his son in the sum of N500 million each, with strict conditions.
Each defendant was required to produce two sureties with verifiable landed property within Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa, deposit property documents with the court, and submit affidavits of means.
They were also ordered to surrender their international passports and barred from travelling abroad without prior permission.
Malami, his wife Asabe, and his son had been remanded at Kuje following their arraignment by the EFCC on December 29, 2025, on a 16 counts, bordering on money laundering involving about N8.7bn.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants used multiple corporate entities, bank accounts, and high-value real estate transactions to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities.
Court documents (FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025) stated that Malami and his son allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1.01bn between July 2022 and June 2025, and another N600m allegedly passed through a Sterling Bank account linked to the company between September 2020 and February 2021.
Additionally, the EFCC claimed the trio disguised the origin of N500m used to purchase a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama.
Malami had been in EFCC custody since December 8, 2025, after failing to meet earlier bail conditions.
On December 18, a Federal Capital Territory High Court presided over by Justice Babangida Hassan, upheld his detention as lawful.
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