The Ogun State Government has arraigned Oba Taofeek Owolabi, the suspended Olu of Obafemi in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, over allegations of land grabbing and related offenses. Oba Owolabi, a coronet Oba and member of the Egba Traditional Council, appeared in court on Tuesday following a series of accusations involving fraud, assault, and disregard for state and traditional authorities.
In a statement issued Wednesday by the Ministry of Justice, the monarch was charged with conspiracy to sell property without authority, unlawful sale of land, use of unauthorized agents, forceful land takeover, assault on a police officer, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
The statement detailed that Oba Owolabi allegedly laid false claims to 500 acres of land and misled a developer, Dr. Michael Adeyemi, into paying ₦75 million for the property. The monarch reportedly failed to remit the payment to the rightful landowning families and instead deployed armed thugs to the land. One person was reportedly macheted, and a police officer from the state’s anti-land grabbing task force was assaulted during the dispute.
Despite multiple efforts by the state government to engage the monarch including a summons by the Ogun State House of Assembly in July 2024 Oba Owolabi refused to cooperate, opting instead to file two lawsuits, which were later withdrawn. The House Committee eventually recommended his prosecution.
The Egba Traditional Council, under the leadership of the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Oba Aremu Gbadebo, also summoned Oba Owolabi several times, alongside the council’s Ethical Committee, but he allegedly ignored all invitations. As a result, the council suspended him from office on December 13, 2024, citing conduct unbecoming of a traditional ruler.
While Oba Owolabi has met bail conditions, his trial is ongoing. The Ogun State Government reaffirmed its commitment to justice and restoring order to land administration across the state.
“We will resist all land grabbers, no matter how highly placed they appear to be,” the Ministry of Justice said, urging the public to trust the government’s resolve in prosecuting the case.
