Ogun police arrest man for attacking land owners

Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a notorious land grabber in the state, Sulaimon Adelakun, for his alleged involvement in illegal possession of firearms and breaching public peace.

Adelakun was said to have been operating freely in the Mowe and Atan-Ota areas in the Obafemi-Owode and Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Areas of the state respectively.

It was gathered that Adelakun, known locally as “Olori odo,” was arrested by law enforcement authorities on Thursday at Atan Ota following reports of his violent activities targeting landowners.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest to our correct on Friday.

Odutola said the arrest was made in response to complaints from residents who had been subjected to threats and attacks by Adelakun and his cohorts.

Odutola said, “Yes, a notorious land grabber, Sulaimon Adelakun, was arrested by police yesterday (Thursday) at Atan Ota for attacking people on their land but no life was lost.”

Investigations, however, revealed that yesterday’s arrest of Adelakun was not the first time.

It was learnt that the suspect had previously faced arrest on two separate occasions for similar charges, only to be released by law enforcement authorities.

Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that despite the gravity of the accusations against him, Adelakun managed to evade prolonged detention.

Similarly, a document by the Department of Public Prosecution in Ogun State and sighted by our correspondent dated June 2022, showed how the Ministry of Justice recommended to the police that Adelakun should be charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.

Another document addressed to the Criminal Investigation Department of the state Police Command from the state DPP said findings revealed that Adelakun invaded different communities to forcefully take possession of lands.

The letter signed by the Director, Public Prosecutions, Ajewole partly read, “The facts of the case as gathered from the police duplicate case file are that on 31/10/2021, 4/11/2021 and 2/2/2020 respectively, the fourth suspect- Sulaimon Adelakun who claims that all the landed properties in Orita-Araromi Village belong to his father, invaded the village with thugs amongst whom are the first-third suspects, one Peter Odoko; Bode (a.k.a Energy) and some others at large. The complainants reported the incidents through a petition to the police and the suspects herein were arrested. Hence police investigation.

“I have carefully considered the facts of this case. Available evidence revealed that the suspects were arrested in connection with the incidents that occurred on 31/10/2021, 4/11/2021 and 2/2/2022 respectively on various sites within Araromi-Orita Village when the suspects invaded the sites armed with dangerous weapons and inflicted injuries on workers found on the site.

“It is evident that Mutiu Muftaudeen, Gbenga Oshunkoya and Tajudeen Sanusi sustained injuries from the attack on 31/10/2021 while Taiwo Abiodun, Bello Akeem and Shina Adebisi sustained injuries during the attack on 4/11/2021.”

The letter continued, “It is also clear that Peter Odoko and Bode (a.k.a Energy) have been arrested, prosecuted and sentenced in respect of the incident of 31/10/21 while the 1st- 4th suspects herein escaped. Hence there is sufficient evidence against them and it is recommended that the 1st-4th suspects should be charged as follows:

“Conspiracy to commit an offence contrary to Section 510 of the Criminal Code Law, Laws of Ogun State, 2006. Assault, contrary to Section 351 of the Criminal Code Law, Laws of Ogun State. Demand for fee contrary to Section 11 of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation, Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping. Cultism and Other Anti-Violence and Other Related Offences, Law, 2016.

“It has also been established that the 4th suspect engages in the business of selling landed properties without authority, hence in addition to the above, the 4th suspect- Sulaimon Adelakun should be charged with the offence of sale of property without authority, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism and other Anti-violence and Other Related Offences Law, 2016.”

The letter reads further, “As regards the incidents of 4/11/21 and 2/2/22, the police is urged to conduct more investigation to confirm the culprits for possible prosecution.”

Following his arrest, residents of some of the communities he has invaded expressed worry, alleging that the suspect would soon find a way to leave the police’s territory.

The Baale of Araromi in Orita Atan-Ota, Chief Olusegun Odeyemi, expressed grave concern over Adelakun’s continued reign of terror in the community.

In a desperate plea for help, Odeyemi highlighted Adelakun’s history of violence, citing a previous incident where he allegedly injured several residents during an invasion.

The community head urged the state government and law enforcement agencies to take decisive action to protect the community from further harm.

He stressed that Adelakun, who hails from Joga, has no legitimate claim to property in the area.

Recounting his ordeal with the suspect, the Alakoso of Araromi Orita, Rasheed Olaleye, said Adelakun brutally attacked him.

Olaleye said he was beaten at a junction in the area, resulting in severe injuries and a spike in his blood pressure.