Land grabbing allegation: Ogun monarch arraigned for fraud after suspension
By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Ogun State Government on Tuesday arraigned the suspended Olu of Obafemi, Oba Taofeek Kayode Owolabi, over multiple charges relating to alleged land grabbing activities in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
Oba Owolabi, a coronet monarch and member of the Egba Traditional Council, is currently under suspension by the Council. The state’s Ministry of Justice confirmed the arraignment in a statement issued on Wednesday, outlining the serious nature of the allegations brought against the traditional ruler.
According to the statement, the charges include conspiracy to unlawfully sell land, unauthorised property sale, fraudulent use of agents, forceful acquisition of land, assault on a police officer, and obtaining money under false pretence. The Ministry affirmed that despite the charges, Oba Owolabi remains presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
The government alleges that Oba Owolabi wrongfully laid claim to 500 acres of land in Obafemi Owode and deceived a developer, identified as Dr Michael Adeyemi, into paying ¦ 75 million for the property. It is further claimed that the monarch failed to remit this sum to the rightful landowning families.
Additionally, the statement accuses Oba Owolabi of stationing armed thugs on the disputed land, one of whom reportedly injured a civilian with a machete. It also alleges that the monarch personally assaulted a police officer from the Ogun State land grabbing task force.
Efforts to engage with Oba Owolabi before legal action were unsuccessful, the statement noted. The State House of Assembly had summoned the monarch in July 2024, a summons he allegedly ignored while initiating two separate legal actions which were later withdrawn. Despite this, he did not comply with the legislative inquiry that followed. The House Committee eventually recommended his prosecution.
The Egba Traditional Council, under the authority of the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun A. Gbadebo, CFR, also made repeated attempts to address the matter internally. Oba Owolabi reportedly ignored all invitations and engagements, prompting the Council to suspend him on 13 December 2024 for conduct deemed unbecoming of a traditional ruler.
The Ministry confirmed that Oba Owolabi has met his bail conditions and that his trial is ongoing. It reiterated the state’s commitment to ensuring accountability and justice in matters of land governance.
“We urge the public to remain confident in our commitment to sanitise land administration in Ogun State,” the statement read. “We will continue to stand firm against all acts of land grabbing, regardless of the status or title of those involved.”