Ogun AG: Ogun Land Grabber Najeem Osolake Arrest

• The Ogun State Government intervened in a land dispute between Damilola Adisa and alleged land grabber Najeem Osolake.
• Najeem Osolake was arrested and charged after a PUNCH report highlighted his alleged threats and illegal construction on Adisa's family land.
• Ogun State Attorney-General Oluwasina Ogungbade ordered the arrest after initial police inaction.
• Osolake was remanded for 60 days before an out-of-court settlement was reached.
• Osolake's children provided undertakings, leading to the withdrawal of criminal charges and his release.

This case serves as a clear signal that legitimate landowners with valid documentation can expect governmental support against illegal encroachment and intimidation.

The Ogun State Government recently intervened in a significant property dispute involving businesswoman Damilola Adisa and Najeem Osolake, an individual accused of land grabbing. The conflict centered on a parcel of land located in the Ibafo area of Ogun State, which belonged to Ms. Adisa's late father. Ms. Adisa possessed valid documentation for the property, and her father's grave was also situated on the land, underscoring her family's long-standing connection to the site.

According to Ms. Adisa, in an interview conducted on July 26, 2026, Mr. Osolake allegedly threatened to unlawfully seize the property. She recounted discovering laborers and thugs attempting to lay a foundation on the land, having already damaged a portion of her father's burial site. Furthermore, Ms. Adisa claimed that Mr. Osolake issued death threats against her and her siblings if they refused to relinquish ownership of the property. The initial police response from the Ibafo Police Station saw Mr. Osolake arrested, but he was subsequently released despite his inability to produce any legitimate documents for the land. Ms. Adisa reported that he even threatened her family in the presence of police officers before his release.

The situation escalated following a report published by Sunday PUNCH, which brought the Damilola Adisa property dispute to wider public attention. Responding to the gravity of the allegations, the Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, took decisive action. In early August, shortly after the media report, Mr. Ogungbade issued an order for the Ogun State Task Force on illegalities to apprehend Najeem Osolake.

This directive led directly to the Ogun land grabber Najeem Osolake arrest. Following his apprehension, Mr. Osolake was formally charged in court by the Attorney-General's office for his alleged illegal activities. He was subsequently remanded for a period of 60 days, indicating the seriousness with which the state government viewed the accusations of land grabbing and intimidation. This swift legal response demonstrated the state's commitment to addressing such property disputes.

During Mr. Osolake's remand, several parties, including non-governmental organizations, legal professionals, and his own children, approached the authorities to seek a resolution. The Attorney-General, Oluwasina Ogungbade, confirmed that these interventions led to discussions about an out-of-court settlement for the land dispute in Nigeria. Mr. Ogungbade conveyed that he informed Mr. Osolake that any legitimate claim to the land should be pursued through proper legal channels, rather than through illegal construction or threats.

Ultimately, Mr. Osolake's children played a crucial role, advising their father to abandon his claims to the land, acknowledging that Ms. Adisa's family had been on the property for an extended period, with structures already present and her father buried there. They provided written undertakings, guaranteeing that their father would neither trespass on the property again nor threaten its rightful owners. Considering Mr. Osolake's age, reported to be around 70, and the children's commitment, the Attorney-General opted for mediation, leading to the withdrawal of the criminal charges and Mr. Osolake's release.

The resolution of the Damilola Adisa property dispute underscores a significant shift in Ogun State land grabbing enforcement. The proactive involvement of Ogun State Attorney-General Oluwasina Ogungbade, particularly after public reporting, highlights the state's willingness to intervene decisively in cases of alleged land grabbing. This case serves as a clear signal that legitimate landowners with valid documentation can expect governmental support against illegal encroachment and intimidation.

While Ms. Adisa initially expressed some apprehension that Mr. Osolake might return, the Attorney-General assured her that the criminal charges could be reinstated if any further disturbances occurred. Ms. Adisa herself lauded the efforts of Sunday PUNCH for amplifying her voice, which she credited with drawing the necessary attention from the state government. She expressed profound relief, stating that this was the first time she had experienced justice since her father's passing in 2015, demonstrating the critical role of both media and state intervention in protecting property rights.

Lawyers should note the Ogun State Attorney-General's proactive intervention in land grabbing cases, indicating a willingness to enforce property rights and facilitate out-of-court settlements, especially when public awareness is raised. This suggests a potential avenue for clients facing similar disputes, highlighting the importance of valid documentation and the state's role in protecting legitimate landowners.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH newspaper