The Ogun State Government has announced that it has arraigned the Olu of Obafemi, Oba Taofeek Owolabi, from Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, on charges related to land grabbing.
Oba Owolabi, a member of the Egba Traditional Council and a coronet Oba, was brought to court on Tuesday and is currently suspended from his position.
A statement released by the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday detailed the charges against the monarch, including conspiracy to sell property without permission, unauthorized sale of property, unlawful use of agents, forcible land acquisition, assaulting a police officer, and obtaining money by deceit.
The statement clarified that Oba Owolabi is accused of falsely claiming ownership of 500 acres of land in Obafemi Owode, where he allegedly tricked a developer, Dr. Michael Adeyemi, into paying him ₦75 million for the land. However, the money was not passed on to the rightful landholding families. Additionally, the statement alleged that the monarch deployed thugs to the land, who assaulted an individual with machetes, and he personally attacked a police officer who was part of a task force tackling land grabbing in Ogun State.
Despite efforts by the Ogun State Government to address the matter, Oba Owolabi allegedly ignored a summons from the State House of Assembly in July 2024. Instead, he filed two lawsuits, which were later withdrawn, although he still refused to cooperate with the assembly’s investigation. The House Committee ultimately recommended that he face prosecution for land grabbing.
The statement further revealed that the Egba Traditional Council, led by the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Oba Aremu Gbadebo, repeatedly summoned Oba Owolabi. However, the coronet Oba defied these summonses. The Ethical Committee of the council also attempted to engage him, but to no avail. As a result, on December 13, 2024, the council suspended Oba Owolabi from his position as Olu Obafemi for actions unbecoming of a traditional ruler, and the suspension is still in effect.
While Oba Owolabi has met the conditions for bail, his trial is ongoing. The Ogun State Government remains committed to ensuring justice is served and restoring order to land management in the state. They urged the public to trust in their efforts to prosecute Oba Owolabi and resolve the situation.
