LAGOS SENSITISES BADAGRY RESIDENTS ON LAND GRABBING LAWS
In an effort to rid Lagos of the menace of land grabbers and ensure that those found culpable of the crime are prosecuted, the State Government on Thursday organised a stakeholders forum for residents of Badagry Division.
Speaking at the forum, the Honourable Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), said the meeting was organised by the Ministry and the State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers to educate and enlighten residents about the Lagos State Taskforce on Land Grabbers Law, 2016.
He said the Law was conceived to protect the rights of landowners, communities and indeed the State from the activities of Land Grabbers.
Onigbanjo, who was represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, noted that the present administration is leaving no stone unturned to educate Lagosians on the negative effects of land grabbing.
While noting that some of the negative consequences of land grabbing include the breakdown of law and order as well as economic instability, the Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry is working with relevant agencies of government for proper implementation of the Land Grabbers Law, 2016 so as to nip the menace in the bud.
The Attorney-General charged traditional rulers, who he described as custodians of customary land, as well as the youths and other members of the communities to move against the activities of Land Grabbers in their areas, adding that the State Government is doing everything possible to eradicate the menace in Lagos.
His words: “The State Government will not tolerate the activities of Land Grabbers in the State. The Land Grabbers Law 2016 has provisions to punish offenders with up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine up to N5 Million or both for violators”.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Mr. Owolabi Arole said it is imperative to brainstorm with major Stakeholders on several ideas to nip the activities of Land Grabbers in the bud.
According to Arole, most land grabbers are often not indigents of the State but unscrupulous elements who have found means of creating mayhem, stressing that his Agency will not rest on its oars until it rids Lagos of land grabbing activities.
On his part, the Lawmaker representing Ojo Constituency II, Olatunji Tijani said there is a clear line between Land Grabbers and Land Owners, adding that the menace of land grabbing is a result of lack of partnership among stakeholders and the never-ending rot in the system.
The Aladi, Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Momodu Afolabi Asafa, clamoured for unity among traditional rulers in their various domains, adding that land matters should not cause disaffection and disunity among residents.
Participants, who were drawn from various parts of Lagos-West Senatorial District, called for more synergy between government, law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to further stamp out the activities of Land Grabbers in the State, while also attributing the rise in land grabbing activities to greed and illiteracy.
The event with the theme: “Land Grabbers, the Law and Your Rights” had in attendance lawmakers, judicial officials, traditional rulers, security personnel, representatives of religious bodies, landowners and residents amongst others.
GA/TMS/OS
CAPTION:
PIX: (L-R) Aladi, Onijanikin of Ijanikin KIngdom, Oba (Dr) Momodu Afolabi Asafa; Ahahade 1, Oniba-Ekun of Iba Kingdom, Oba Sulaiman Adeshina Raji; Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey and Honourable Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Surajudeen Olatunji Tijani during the stakeholders’ forum on Land Grabbing.
