The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has proposed a legal framework aimed at curbing the persistent menace of land grabbing in Ibadan.
The monarch made this known while receiving the report of the Niyi Akintola Anti-Land Grabbing Committee at the Olubadan Palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan North Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, the proposed framework includes the enactment of bye-laws by local government councils in line with the Land Use Act. The laws are expected to establish special tribunals to fast-track land-related cases and impose stricter sanctions on offenders.
Oba Ladoja stressed the urgency of addressing land grabbing, describing it as a growing threat to the city’s development and investment climate.
Crackdown on Fake Documents and Petitions
The monarch recounted recent incidents involving fraudulent land claims, including the presentation of a questionable court judgment allegedly dating back to 1912.
He dismissed the document as fake, noting that it predates Nigeria’s amalgamation in 1914 and cannot be legally valid in modern disputes.
Ladoja also raised concerns over the misuse of fake survey plans and petitions, warning against individuals who exploit legal loopholes to dispossess rightful landowners.
He further criticised the trend of filing misleading petitions with security agencies, calling for stricter punishment for offenders.
Committee Findings and Concerns
The anti-land grabbing committee, inaugurated in October 2025, was tasked with investigating the root causes of land disputes and proposing legal solutions.
Chairman of the committee, Niyi Akintola, revealed that the panel received over 179 memoranda, reflecting widespread public concern over land-related disputes.
He described land grabbing networks as deeply entrenched, with links to various institutions and stakeholders across the system.
“The system stinks,” Akintola stated, highlighting the scale of corruption and collusion fueling land disputes in the region.
Traditional Leaders Under Scrutiny
The Olubadan also warned that traditional title holders, including Mogajis and Baales, found complicit in land grabbing activities would face serious consequences.
He emphasised the need for integrity in traditional leadership, noting that unchecked abuses have contributed significantly to the crisis.
The monarch commended members of the committee for their efforts and reaffirmed his commitment to restoring order in land administration across Ibadan.
