Housing

Stakeholders Call for Stiffer Punishments for Land Grabbers

By Web News 489

By Omolara Adasofunjo

Participants at a stakeholders’ forum at the Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA, have advocated establishment of a petitions tribunal on land matters and award stiffer punishments to persons promoting land grabbing in the state. 

Those that attended the forum on amendment of a bill for a law to prohibit entry and occupation of landed properties, anti-violence and fraudulent conducts, armed robbery, kidnapping and related matters held in Abeokuta, made the submission. 

A Surveyor, Mr Bode Adeaga and another participant, Mr Olalekan Idowu expressed optimism that the establishment of tribunal would aid prosecution of suspected land grabbers and check the menace.

They also urged government to properly regulate the process for land acquisition. 

Also, the Towulade of Akinale, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, called on traditional rulers to desist from getting involved in the dastardly act of land grabbing and ensure peaceful co-existence among all residents of their communities.

In a contribution, a representative of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Mr Olayinka Folarin expressed hope that the bill would promote peace in the society.

Mr Folarin called for stiffer penalties against individuals or groups, including security officers who connive with suspected land grabbers to harass owners of landed properties.

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Politics

New Chiefs Law: We will ensure all interests are accommodated – OGHA Speaker

By Web News 513

Concerned groups of traditionalists, religious leaders, human rights advocates and traditional leaders in Ogun State have been assured of adequate measures to accommodate their inputs in the process of fine tuning the legal framework for the growth of traditional institutions. 

Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA, Mr. Olakunle Oluomo gave the assurance at the stakeholders’ forum on the proposed bill on Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021, held at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

Mr. Oluomo explained that the forum was organized to generate contributions towards correcting many identified anomalies in the traditional institution, especially the installation of Obas without following due process.

In a contribution, the Towulade of Akinale, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, who represented Egba Traditional Council expressed the hope that the deliberations would help to address some of the challenges associated with the selection, appointment, installation and recognition of traditional rulers in the state.

Also, a Muslim leader, Professor Kamaldeen Balogun and a representative of the Christian community, Apostle Olukorede Awolesi harped on the importance of peaceful co-existence among religious groups and announced plans to make their submissions known to the House through memoranda.

In a remark, the State Secretary of Ifa worshippers, Mr. Faniyi Awoyemi, noted that the traditional belief remained essential in the running of traditional institution, stating that monarchs were to be buried in line with the traditions and customs of their people.

Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Bolanle Ajayi had noted that the House was poised to ensure that the bill was passed without eroding the existing cultural traditional beliefs in the state.

Oluwatoyin Adegoke