In a decisive move to address the escalating menace of land grabbing in Ibadanland, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has inaugurated a five-member legal committee tasked with tackling land-related disputes and criminal encroachments through legal channels.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Olubadan Palace in Oke Aremo, with members of the Olubadan-in-Council and other dignitaries in attendance. The committee comprises distinguished legal professionals including Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Barr. Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), Yinka Okunade, Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem, and Tunji Thomas.
Oba Ladoja, who was crowned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland last month, emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating that “hard times await land grabbers who are giving Ibadan a bad reputation across the globe.” He described the issue as a “plague that threatens peace and development in Ibadanland,” and warned that the city’s social fabric was being undermined by increasingly organized and complex land disputes.
The committee has been granted express permission to co-opt experts from various fields, including town planning, surveying, security agencies, and the judiciary, to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach. According to a statement by Olubadan's media aide, Chief Adeola Oloko, the committee will operate with full backing from both the Olubadan-in-Council and the Oyo State Government.