The Ogun State Government has arraigned Oba Taofeek Owolabi, the suspended Olu of Obafemi in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, over alleged land grabbing and related offences.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Justice, Oba Owolabi, a coronet Oba and member of the Egba Traditional Council, was brought before the court on charges including conspiracy to sell property without authority, unauthorised sale of land, use of unlawful agents, forceful land occupation, assault on a police officer, and obtaining money by false pretence.
The monarch, who remains under suspension, is accused of unlawfully claiming 500 acres of land in Obafemi Owode and deceiving a developer, Dr Michael Adeyemi, into paying ₦75 million for it—funds he allegedly failed to remit to the rightful landowning families.
The statement further claimed that Oba Owolabi stationed thugs on the disputed land, who reportedly injured a person with a machete, while the monarch himself allegedly assaulted a police officer from the anti-land grabbing task force.
Despite multiple summonses by the State House of Assembly and the Egba Traditional Council under the leadership of the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Oba Aremu Gbadebo, Oba Owolabi reportedly failed to respond or cooperate.
The statement also revealed that Oba Owolabi initially filed two legal suits in response to the Assembly’s summons but later withdrew them. Nevertheless, he did not participate in the subsequent legislative investigation, which recommended his prosecution.
On December 13, 2024, the Egba Traditional Council formally suspended Oba Owolabi for conduct deemed unbecoming of a traditional ruler. That suspension remains in place.
Although the monarch has met his bail conditions, his trial continues.
Reaffirming its stance, the Ogun State Government assured the public of its commitment to justice and pledged to uphold integrity in land administration.
“No land grabber, regardless of their status, will be spared,” the Ministry stated.