FG Land Beneficiaries Allege Extortion, Unlawful Demolition By Oyo Housing Corporation Despite ₦6m Settlement
Beneficiaries of a Federal Government land allocation have accused the Oyo State Housing Corporation of extortion, intimidation and unlawful demolition of their properties.
One of the seven beneficiaries, Mr. Ibrahim Olatunji, alleged that the land allocated to them by the Federal Ministry of Lands and Urban Development in 2023 was unlawfully encroached upon by officials of the state housing agency.
According to him, the beneficiaries took possession of the land and began using it peacefully until officials of the Oyo State Housing Corporation appeared about six months later, claiming ownership.
Olatunji said officials of the Federal Ministry later visited the site from Abuja and reaffirmed that the setback belonged to the Federal Government, adding that documents showed the state agency had previously applied for the land in 2015 but was denied.
He alleged that despite this, officials of the housing corporation demanded a ₦10 million settlement, out of which ₦6 million was allegedly paid into a private account belonging to the Director of Marketing, Mr. Akeem Lawal.
The dispute reportedly escalated when structures erected on the land were demolished with heavy equipment, despite police involvement and ongoing investigations.
Efforts to reach Lawal for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
Reacting, the Chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Mr. Ademola Omotosho, said the matter had been handed over to the DSS, the Police, and the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbing Agency, adding that he would not comment further.
Abiodun Ogunrinde is a Linguist and Journalist with considerable years of experience in Print Journalism. He blends creativity with a sense of reporting that addresses public concern and human interests.
