Curbing emerging crimes in Ogun

THERE  has been an upsurge in the activities of land speculators/ land grabbers in the last few years, especially in the South Western part of Nigeria. The reason for this criminal act is not unconnected with issue of population influx from other parts of the country occasioned by accelerated development being experienced in some of the States in the geopolitical zone, especially Ogun State which has witnessed tremendous socioeconomic development in the last six years due to the strides of the current administration. Therefore, crimes and other criminalities associated with any developing society which include land grabbing, robbery, kidnapping and even cultism have been on the increase in spite of  government’s efforts and huge investment in security, job creation and infrastructural development which have led to massive business investment in the State.

In addition, cultural belief attached to land acquisition and home ownership in this part of the country might also be some of the factors responsible for the increase in illegal activities of land grabbers, as most of their victims are unsuspecting members of the public who patronize land speculators in the cause of acquiring landed property. Not too long ago, some riverine areas of the state had experienced security threats through kidnapping activities by some militants. During the period, residents of communities like Ogijo in Sagamu, Imobi-Ijebu in Ijebu East as well as Isheri, Arepo and Ibafo which are boundary towns between Ogun and Lagos States have gory tales to tell.

The situation remained pathetically disturbing until the state government swung into action and later on called on the Federal Government, which immediately deployed troop to complement other security agents to restore normalcy to the areas. Since a drastic problem requires a drastic solution, the State House of Assembly also rose to the occasion and came up with an all-encompassing bill to deal decisively with emerging security challenges bedeviling the State. The lawmakers moved swiftly to pass the four-in-one all-inclusive bill titled “HB No/03/2016- A Bill for a law to prohibit forcible entry and occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and for other matters incidental thereto and connected therewith”.

Expectedly, the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, also did the needful shortly afterwards and assented the bill into law. These heroic acts have not only brought respite to residents, but also sent strong signals to criminally-minded individuals or groups that Ogun is not a safe haven for them. The bill sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo along with 13 other lawmakers as co-sponsors, also enjoyed the support of all the honourable members and is meant to comprehensively address crimes and criminalities that were hitherto alien to the State, so as to protect the lives and properties of the people of the State.

During the process leading to the passage of the bill, all the lawmakers were unanimous in their resolve to checkmate the rampaging issues of land grabbing and kidnapping in all parts of the State so as to protect the citizens from criminals. This according to them is to further support the laudable programmes and projects of the State government to achieve the success of the ongoing industrialization of the state. In their respective contributions, the lawmakers underscored the need to free the law-abiding citizens and residents of the state from the yoke of criminals masquerading as land owners and swindling them of their landed property. The members who bemoaned the effects of these miscreants recalled that they often operate like a mafia wielding dangerous weapons and demanding ransom by force at different stages of developing structures. The lawmakers pointed out that often times, these criminals resort to maiming, kidnapping and killing innocent people leaving in their trail, fear, anguish and deprivation.

A glance at the ‘four in one’ bill indicates that, with the law in operation, any person or group of persons found guilty of using force to take over any landed property in the State shall be liable to a prison term of 21 years. Also, when such person mentioned is armed with firearms or any offensive weapon or any obnoxious or chemical materials or is in company of any person so armed or the said offender causes any form ofinjury or uses violence on any person, the offender shall be sentenced to 25 years or death penalty if life is involved. In one of its sections, it specifically spells out punishment for any traditional ruler found guilty of aiding the activities of land grabbers (Ajagungbales) to pose threat or unleash terror on the people and shall also be seen as land grabber and be treated as such and in addition, be placed on 10 years suspension or have his chieftaincy certificate and recognition withdrawn. The new law also states that any person who employs agents for the enforcement of any judgement in respect of a landed property except as provided under the Sheriff and civil process law is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of N5m or 10 years or both.

The law added that any security or law enforcement personnel used unlawfully to violate the provision of the law shall upon conviction be liable to two years imprisonment or fine of N250, 000 or both. In a similar vein, punishment for anyone found guilty of armed robbery ranges from 21 years imprisonment to death, while penalties for kidnapping upon conviction range from life imprisonment to death penalty when life is involved alongside forfeiture of assets of people convicted under the law. On its part, penalty for cultism ranges from five to ten year imprisonments. Passing the bill at the plenary, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Suraju Ishola Adekunbi enjoined victims not to hesitate to report to law enforcement agents expected to make use of the provisions of the law. It is worthy of commendation that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun led -administration has taken the right step by signing this all-encompassing bill into law. The governors’ position is that, the law would go after the criminals, as there is now ‘an enabling law to prosecute anyone who contravenes the law’. The new law remains another laudable legislative instrument of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration in the state through which the people will continue to enjoy democratic dividends by living peacefully in their various communities without fear of being molested, harassed or disturbed.

• Jamiu, Head of Information, Ogun State House of Assembly, writes in from Abeokuta.