Anti-land grabbing bill:Ondo Assembly holds public hearing
By Awodeyi Elizabeth
Stakeholders has affirmed that a bill for a law to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties when passed into law would enhance smooth running of land administration, protect land owners , attract investors and engender peace and development in the State.
The stakeholders stated this today, (Tuesday) at a public hearing held at the Ondo State House of Assembly Complex ,Akure on a bill sponsored by a Lawmaker representing Ondo West constituency 1,.Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju.
The self -sponsored bill by Hon Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju who is the Parliamentary Secretary of the Assembly has been committed to the house committee on lands end housing after scaling through the second reading some months ago.
Stakeholders observed that land grabbing is becoming rampant in Ondo State, expressing optimism that when the bill is passed into law, it would eradicate forceful invasion and land grabbing.
The public hearing have Traditional rulers,State cabinet members, Nigeria Bar Association ,Security operatives, civil society ,Real estate Agents, and the general public in attendance to contribute their input.
While declaring the public hearing open, the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji who emphasized the importance of the bill urged the committee members and stakeholders to do justice to the bill in the overall interest of the people.
The Speaker said Land grabbers are threat to property acquisition for decades which their activities include Trespassing or encroaching on properties, forcefully entering or occupying another persons properties, selling property without a valid title. selling the same property to multiple buyers and must be tackled headlong.
According to him, the bill when passed into law, will no doubt maintain sanity in the State as necessary sanctions await any land grabber once he/she is found culpable of committing the offence.
Earlier,the sponsor of the bill , Hon Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju explained that the bill seeks to provide laws regulating landed property, such as protection to land owners and buyers, criminalise agents who are not registered, penalise encroachers among others.
Welcoming participants, Ogunwumiju said land grabbing and activities of unregistered agents are a major concern in the state which is why there is the need for all stakeholders to work together to address the issues.
He added that the bill when it become a law will address and criminalize such acts, give imprisonment up to 10 years for anybody that does forceful entry or takeover of properties, give up to 21 years for people who sells family land without the family head knowing about it, or the family secretary.
The Majority Leader and the Chairman House Committee on Rules and business, Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi noted that the bill when pass into law would add value to the society.
Also, the Chairman House Committee on Lands and Housing, Hon Abiola Oladapo noted that the bill is coming at the right time and that issues surrounding the real estate industry in the state will soon be a thing of the past.
At the hearing, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Akinwumi Sowore ,the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Kayode Ajulo ,SAN, Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matter and Special duties,Dr.Jibayo Adeyeye said the bill will enhance the smooth running of land administration in the state and compliment the executive order recently signed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Stakeholders who spoke at the event described the bill as a welcome development pledging to support its full implementation.
They equally submitted memoranda and advised on portions of the bill they believed need amendment.
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