The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a resolution to conduct a public hearing to address the issue of land grabbing and forceful occupation of properties in the state.
The resolution was made following the adoption of a motion on matters of urgent public importance by Mr. Kazeem Olayinka (APC-Mushin II) during Tuesday’s plenary session.
The state government had previously enacted a law to prohibit forceful entry, illegal occupation of landed properties, and other related violent and fraudulent conducts in the state.
Olayinka emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of the existing laws against land grabbing.
He proposed that the stakeholders’ meeting would involve the state government, the police, the judiciary, traditional rulers, and other relevant parties.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa (APC-Agege I), described land grabbing as a serious issue, stating, “It is chaotic. Many people have been killed, some maimed and some locked up without trial just because of the existence of some people who have turned themselves to land grabbers.”
He expressed concern over cases where land speculators collaborate with security officials to arrest the real owners of properties, forcing them to sign undertakings that bar them from their legitimately acquired land.
The public hearing is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss and proffer solutions to the challenges of land grabbing in Lagos State.
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