The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a resolution to hold a public hearing to address land grabbing and forceful occupation of properties in the state.

The House’s resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion on matters of urgent public importance by Kazeem Olayinka (APC-Mushin II) during Tuesday’s plenary.

The state government had enacted a law prohibiting forceful entry, and illegal occupation of landed properties and violent and fraudulent conducts relating to landed properties.

Mr Olayinka urged the state government on the need for stronger enforcement of the existing laws relating to land grabbing.

He said the planned stakeholders’ meeting would be all-encompassing, involving the state government, the police, the judiciary, traditional rulers and others.

The speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa (APC-Agege I), said land grabbing had become “a serious issue that is beyond disturbing. It is chaotic.”

He lamented the loss of lives, arrests, and indefinite detention over the activities of land grabbers.

“I have seen cases where land speculators write petitions, and with the connivance of security officials, the real owners of the properties were arrested.

“The owners were taken to Abuja and forced to sign undertakings that would bar them from the same land they bought from their toil,” said Mr Obasa.

The speaker alleged that land grabbers often attack new and developing areas such as Ikorodu, Epe, Ojo and others.

He also urged the state government to consider commensurate compensations for landowners whose properties were taken over in the overriding public interest.

Mr Obasa said land was a source of wealth for its owners, tasking the state government with ensuring adequate compensation for owners of acquired properties.

In his contribution, Gbolahan Yishawu (APC-Eti-Osa II) stressed the importance of focusing on law enforcement against land grabbing.

Mr Yishawu urged the establishment of a dedicated agency to effectively handle cases.

Meanwhile, the House has commiserated with the Olubadan-in-Council over the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun, the 42nd Olubadan.

The House also condoled the killing of its personnel in Delta.

The lawmakers held a minute of silence in honour of the departed while the speaker directed the clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, to send a condolence letter each to the Olubadan-in-council and the Nigerian Army. 

(NAN)