The Osun State House of Assembly has commenced a hearing session on the protracted land dispute involving the Oke-Osun area of ...
The Osun State House of Assembly has commenced a hearing session on the protracted land dispute involving the Oke-Osun area of Osogbo. The hearing, organized by the House to unravel and settle the land dispute chaired by the chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges, seeks to investigate the claims of land ownership and the alleged encroachment on government-acquired land.
The hearing, which began on July 22, brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Olaoye and 32 representatives of the affected landowners. Two traditional rulers from the area also attended to lend their voices to the matter.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Hon. Kanmi Ajibola, confirmed receipt of a formal petition from the landowners, who claim ancestral ownership of the disputed land, which they say has been in their families for generations. According to the petitioners, the land in question, located in Oke-Osun, Osogbo, was originally acquired by the Western Region government in 1957 for the purpose of establishing an agricultural farm settlement.
In their presentation, the landowners argued that the acquisition was limited in scope and that large portions of the land remained under the ownership and control of indigenous families.
However, Dr. Mobolaji Olaoye, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Lands, maintained that the area falls within government-acquired land. He asserted that the petitioners had encroached upon land legally owned by the government, and any claims of private ownership were invalid.
Responding to the arguments, Hon. Ajibola assured all parties of the Assembly’s commitment to justice, fairness, and due process. He emphasized that the 8th Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, is determined to handle the matter impartially and transparently.
"The Osun State House of Assembly is committed to ensuring peace, justice and equity," Ajibola stated. "We will not allow land disputes to disrupt the unity and progress being recorded in the state under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke."
The committee urged both parties to submit all relevant documents, historical records and evidence to support their claims, assuring that their findings would be based solely on facts and legal precedent.
Other committee members present included Honourables Sikiru Bajepade, Taofeeq Olayiwola, Tajudeen Adeyemi, and Hafeez Abiodun.
The hearing is expected to continue until all submissions are reviewed and a resolution is reached.
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