Concerned by the need to take drastic measures against the menace of land grabbing and other related offences in Ogun State, stakeholders at the public hearing at the instance of the State House of Assembly today canvassed for the establishment of special tribunal to handle land grabbing and other related cases to allow for speedy dispensation of justice for the people.

The stakeholders, who spoke on the bill titled: “House bill No. 006/ OG/2023, a bill for a law to prohibit entry and occupation of landed properties, anti-violence and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties, armed robbery, kidnapping and for related matter”, said that the peace and progress of the State were being threatened by the activities of land grabbers in connivance with some officials of the Nigeria Police outside the State Command.

Those who spoke included the Towulade of Akinale, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, the Chairman of the Nigeria Institution of Surveyors in the State, Surv. Ademola Adebowale, Director of Land Service in the Bureau of Lands and Survey, Esv. Adewale Adedeji, former Majority Leader, Surveyor Bode Adeaga, Director of Legislative Drafting in the State Ministry of Justice, Barr. James Olubankole, representative of human rights group, Yinka Folarin and representative of National Association of Women Journalists, Adejoke Adeleye.

They clarified that the special tribunal that would handle issues relating to the bill should be properly funded to allow it perform its responsibilities effectively and responsibly.

Earlier in his presentation, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, said the public hearing was meant to provide an avenue for all stakeholders to participate in an elaborate discussion and robust deliberations, where inputs gathered would be carefully considered and properly fine-tuned to form part of the proposed amendment to the bill.

” Let me State here, that the House at its plenary session held on Tuesday 12th September, 2023 debated this extensively in a bid to collaborate with the present administration in its efforts to curb various acts of criminalities that have eaten deep into the fabrics and every strata of our societal life in the State, especially on the activities of cultists and land- grabbers.

Therefore, there is need for this Honourable House to amend the law in order to give it necessary bite and legislative credence towards achieving the desired results”, the Speaker stated.

He explained that the bill was meant to strengthen the existing legislation amongst others with a view to curbing the menace of land grabbers in the State, assuring that the bill would be given accelerated passage.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Lands and Housing, Hon. Damilola Soneye lamented the magnitude of petitions on land grabbing activities and related offences being received by the Assembly daily, promising that all inputs received from the stakeholders would be harmonised into the new bill.

Others who attended the meeting were the Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Col. L. D. Nilly and representative of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, DCC Amos Ajayi amongst others.