...Offenders to face 21 years in prison as government declares zero tolerance

In a decisive move to protect property rights and restore order in land administration, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has formally inaugurated the Ondo State Task Force on Anti-Land Grabbing, in line with the newly enacted Ondo State Property Protection Law of 2024.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa described land as more than a commercial or residential asset, it is a heritage and a vital source of identity for individuals and communities. He condemned the alarming rise in land grabbing, violent displacements, and exploitative real estate practices that have disrupted peace and deterred genuine investment across the state.

To counter these threats, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s determination to enforce the law with the full weight of governmental authority. He highlighted key provisions of the law, including penalties of up to 21 years imprisonment for unlawful resale of property, 10 years for forceful land occupation, and strict sanctions against illegal levies often imposed under the guise of “omo-onile” charges.

“This Task Force,” the Governor stated, “is a beacon of justice for the oppressed and a firm deterrent to those who violate our land laws. We will not allow lawlessness to thrive under our watch.” He urged members of the Task Force to act with integrity, courage, and fairness, pledging continued government support to ensure the law is enforced without bias.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, who chairs the Task Force, underscored the importance of the committee’s mandate. In his remarks, he praised Governor Aiyedatiwa’s visionary leadership, stating, “Your Excellency, what you have done today has given hope to landowners and addressed the menace of land disputes in Ondo State.”

He emphasized that the Task Force marks a turning point in land governance, promoting lawful ownership, peaceful coexistence, and institutional reform. He reiterated that the committee would operate with transparency, uphold due process, and serve as a responsive channel for victims of land-related offences. He affirmed that there will be no sacred cows, emphasising that every violator, regardless of status, will be treated equally under the law.

Dr. Ajulo noted that the law empowers the Task Force to investigate, enforce, and prosecute offenders under clear statutory provisions. Sections 3, 4, 12, and 14 of the Property Protection Law prohibit forceful entry, threats, illegal occupation, and unauthorized levies on landowners while authorising the State to constitute this Task Force for effective enforcement.

In a goodwill message, Hon. Moyinoluwa Ogunwumiju, Member representing Ondo West Constituency 1 in the Ondo State House of Assembly, expressed gratitude to Governor Aiyedatiwa for his consistent support of the bill. “Your Excellency, I thank you for granting the House of Assembly the independence it needed to work on this bill and make it a reality. You backed it from the beginning and even issued an executive order against land grabbing to demonstrate your unwavering commitment." He said.

Hon. Ogunwumiju also commended the Attorney-General for assembling the necessary legal framework and team that ensured the bill was signed into law on December 30, 2024. He noted that the bill, which he personally sponsored, reflects the collective resolve to tackle land-related crimes across the state.

The composition of the Task Force reflects a multi-sectoral approach, featuring representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps, Office of the Surveyor General, Ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Local Government authorities, Civil Society Organisations, and community leaders from all three senatorial districts.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by top government officials, including the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff, Prince Olusegun Omojuwa, Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Olawunmi Isaac, Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip, Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Engr. Abiola Olawoye and Permanent Secretaries. 

Task Force members are appointed to serve for a term of four years and are expected to meet regularly, submit periodic reports to the Governor’s Office, and offer policy advice aimed at improving land governance in the state.

Punishments for violators include: 21 years imprisonment for unlawful sale or resale of land/property; 10 years imprisonment for forceful entry and illegal occupation of land; 7 years imprisonment for demanding illegal levies (e.g., "omo-onile" charges); 5 years imprisonment for use of threats or violence in land matters; 5 years imprisonment for trespassing with intent to take possession; and 7 years imprisonment for aiding and abetting land-related crimes.

Governor Aiyedatiwa concluded by reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to justice, lawful property ownership, and sustainable peace across all parts of Ondo State.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) wishes to draw the public’s attention to misleading messages circulating via a spoofed version of its 66019 shortcode. These messages instruct candidates—some of whom have already sat for the resit examination and received their results—to reprint their examination slips for a resit examination.

We categorically state that these messages are not from JAMB. There are currently no scheduled examinations, and candidates who have successfully completed the resit examination and received their results need not be concerned. Such messages are fraudulent and intended to sow confusion.

The only examination that JAMB is planning to conduct, which has yet to be scheduled, is the foreign examination held in nine countries across Europe, the Middle East, and certain African nations. Additionally, there will be a mop-up examination for candidates who missed the main and resit examinations and have been granted waivers only for 2025 to participate in the usual mop-up for those who experienced biometric failures.

We urge the public to disregard these deceptive messages. Those qualified for the mop-up examination, as specified, will be duly notified once preparations are finalised.

Fabian Benjamin, Ph.D.,
Public Communication Advisor 
JAMB

President Bola Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives, requesting legislative approval for a new external borrowing plan amounting to over $21.5 billion, alongside a domestic bond issuance of ₦757.9 billion to settle outstanding pension liabilities. 

In a detailed communication to the Green Chamber, President Tinubu highlighted the strategic significance of the 2025–2026 borrowing plan, noting that it spans key sectors of the economy. 

“The 2025–2026 borrowing plan covers all sectors with specific emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth, security, and employment generation, as well as financial and monetary reforms, among others,” the President stated.

According to Tinubu, the total facility sought under the external borrowing plan includes USD 21,543,647,912, EUR 2,193,856,324.54, and 15 billion Japanese Yen, in addition to a grant of 65 million EUR.

He noted that the proposed borrowing is crucial in light of the removal of fuel subsidy and its economic implications.

“In light of the significant infrastructure deficit in the country and the paucity of financial resources needed to address this gap amid declining domestic demand, it has become essential to pursue prudent economic borrowing to close the financial shortfall,” the President wrote.

Tinubu assured lawmakers that the proposed funds would be channelled into critical infrastructure projects, especially in the areas of railways, healthcare, and nationwide development programmes across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“This initiative aims to generate employment, promote skill acquisition, foster entrepreneurship, reduce poverty, and enhance food security, as well as to improve the livelihoods of Nigerians,” he emphasised.

On a separate note, President Tinubu also sought the House’s approval for the issuance of Federal Government bonds in the domestic market to settle accrued pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) amounting to ₦757,983,246,572.

Citing the Pension Reform Act 2014, Tinubu noted that the government had been unable to comply with some statutory pension obligations due to revenue challenges, leading to a buildup of arrears and increasing hardship for retirees.

“The House of Representatives is invited to note that the federal government has not been compliant with the implementation of the above provisions of the PRA 2014 over the years due to revenue challenges leading to accumulation of pension arrears with the attendant ICU retirees,” he stated.

He added that the proposal to issue bonds for the settlement of the liabilities had received approval from the Federal Executive Council in its meeting of February 4, 2025.

According to the President, settling the pension arrears will improve retirees’ welfare, boost confidence in the pension system, and inject liquidity into the economy.

“It will enable the Federal Government of Nigeria to meet obligations under the CPS and restore confidence in the pension industry. “It will also ensure positive welfare even for the retirees, as this will enable them to meet their basic needs… improve health and avoid untimely death,” the letter stated.

President Tinubu concluded by appealing to lawmakers for timely approval, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“While I look forward to the progression and timely approval of the House of Representatives, please accept, Your Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my high regards,” he wrote.

The request has been referred to the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development and the Committee on Pensions for further legislative action.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has listed some measures for ensuring the emergence of a viable civil service of the future.

Olaopa spoke at the Strategic Meeting of South West Heads of the Civil Service, held in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

The professor of public administration whose keynote address was entitled "Deepening Professionalism in the Civil Service Towards Improve Service Delivery" decried the existing state of the civil service. He lamented specifically that the civil service at the state level does not have "autonomy and relative insulation from politics to operate within the classic functional authority line in politics/policy-administration/implementation dichotomy as conceived in public administration praxis".

Consequently, he listed some steps that the civil service could take to ensure professionalism and meet the demands of the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions with their attendant technological challenges such as those posed by Artificial Intelligence.

According to him, there should be a clear vision of who a civil/public servant is, and that all public service rules, regulations and procedures governing career management in the civil service need to be reviewed and aligned.

Olaopa highlighted the need for the strengthening of the political-administrative interface for effective governance and service delivery.

He also stressed the strengthening of the constitutional mandates of the CSCs, to ensure that recruitment/appointment into the service are merit-based and insulated from politicisation .

" Indeed, strengthening the pre-entry requirements and implementing rigorous recruitment and selection processes will entail enforcement of clear guidelines to prevent non-meritocratic appointment practices."

For Olaopa, there is the imperative of enforcing professional norms, codes and standards of professional practice for public administration . "This will need to be revalidated through a value audit, to establish the new professional standards that assist to weed out unqualified personnel and which in turn provides a framework of principles which guide professional behaviour and actions as part of a carefully implemented cultural adjustment programme and values reorientation.

" In this regard, a recognised process of accreditation that includes a deepened but compulsory induction programme that serves to introduce new entrants to the civil service, and also educates them about ethics and professionalism and which at once challenges them to embrace the values and mandate of constitutional democracy.

"Such a process if regulated by recognised public administration professional bodies that bring members of the profession together through a mechanism that is outside routine business, creates

a community of practice, and therefore allows for cross-cutting concerns to be addressed to enable professional autonomy and self-regulation, knowledge sharing and development

and mutual support of practitioners, researchers and other development workers as is badly required if the public service will get back its ability to act independently as a profession insulated from politics."

He said that the complex body of knowledge relating to the administration, methods, procedures and technical practices of public administrators that have accumulated over time need to become the basis for comprehensive training for new entrants to the field, and ongoing professional development for those within the profession to stay current with the evolving standards and body of knowledge inherent in the profession as continuous professional’s competency framework of skills for running the business of government.

According to him, addressing ethical lapses, bureaucratic corruption, and poor performance within frameworks of performance, ethics and accountability, is critical to reinstituting professionalism in the civil service.

" There must therefore be strong accountability mechanism in place to streamline practices for dealing with transgressions and to institute actions for losses, and training cum development of correctional frameworks."

 Olaopa noted the need for the utilisation of distinguished former public servants as mentors, coaches and champions of system’s turnaround programmes.

" This strategy will indeed draw on the experiences of revered former administrators particularly in areas of expertise that may be lacking in current workforce . There will of course be a policy guideline that will address how the coaches and mentors will function, their roles and responsibilities. This will make the arrangement a structured approach with clear expectations and performance standards".

He said that there should be screening to establish the risk profile of applicants and their criminal record, financial situation, integrity levels , psychometric tests and truth veracity tests before appointment.

On remuneration, he said that wage reform should aim to ensure that employees receive compensation that is fair and that recognises the value of staff contribution, and that it must be designed to be competitive, and reflect the cost of living to attract and retain skilled professionals.

"A sustainable wage policy must also achieve cost saving and ensure fiscal sustainability through institutional rationalisation of entities and programmes.

Compensation reforms may include better and enhanced benefits such as healthcare, retirement plans and other perks, packaged to make public jobs more attractive and competitive. It may also introduce performance-based pay systems thus linking salary increases to individual and organisational achievements", he said.

"The mission statement of every MDA must include the promotion of continuous improvement in service provision and commitment to service standards, benchmarked against high-performing comparator-agencies.

This will include plans for staffing, human resource development and organisational capability building tailored to service delivery needs.

Improving service delivery calls for a shift from inward-looking bureaucratic culture to a new way of working that put the public as customer first",he added.