Sola Adebayo: GRAs – Now that Ogun has extended deadline for verification of title documents

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Last week, showing a gesture of goodwill, the Ogun State government under Governor Dapo Abiodun extended by two weeks the deadline for property owners and occupants impacted by the ongoing physical development audit to present their land ownership documents.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olatunji Odunlami, made this known in a statement, saying the extension was aimed at giving stakeholders more time to comply. He explained that the government’s intention was “to give property owners and developers more time to either present their planning permits or approach the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and its agencies to regularise their unapproved developments.”

Odunlami further noted that the decision followed multiple appeals from affected individuals. He emphasized that this extension reflects the administration’s responsiveness to concerns raised by property owners in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode, while also demonstrating its respect for due process. He added that the gesture “does not derogate whatsoever from its constitutional and statutory actions already carried out on the matter.”

This statement, undoubtedly, is valid and it contradicts the alarmist media narrative driven by the senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The state government, acting within its legal authority and as part of its urban redevelopment agenda which started with Ibara GRA in Abeokuta before expanding to Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode GRAs launched a lawful audit of existing structures to assess their permit status.

This included residential homes, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and commercial buildings. The goal was to collect data necessary for any governmental intervention. Despite this, the senator and his media team flooded the public with claims of political vendetta, alleging that the aim was to bring down his properties in Sagamu GRA for partisan reasons. This persisted even after the government clarified that the exercise was routine and applied to all properties in the GRAs.

Otunba Daniel, whose property within Sagamu GRA was among those served notices in accordance with state planning laws, appeared to believe he was exempt from the rules perhaps due to his close relationship with the current administration. Reports suggest that his Asoludero Court may have been constructed on land originally designated for judicial officers, without securing the necessary permits. Similar claims surround his Conference Hotel, allegedly built on land initially meant for a state-owned driving school, as well as his defunct media outlet, which is also said to occupy government land.

Rather than complying with the state’s directive to submit documentation, the senator has instead resorted to public agitation. While the misuse of influence to acquire public land is itself problematic, proceeding to build without any formal approvals is even more troubling.

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Now, the former governor, who insists he has acted properly and transparently, has a two-week window to validate those claims. As the commissioner pointed out and as is now clear to many the audit is a general policy action, not targeted at any individual. In fact, a similar land verification exercise took place during Senator Daniel’s own tenure as governor. Was he also accused of victimization then?

Interestingly, instead of complying with the legitimate request, the senator filed for a court injunction to prevent any action on his properties. This raises questions: What is he avoiding? Why should it be an issue for the government to ask residents in a government-owned GRA to produce their planning approvals? These GRAs are public zones where structures are meant to conform to clearly defined urban planning guidelines.

Periodic audits are standard procedure in states across Nigeria from Lagos to Edo yet the senator opted to challenge the request in the media rather than engage directly with the appropriate ministry. Meanwhile, the same process had already been completed in Abeokuta without any notable resistance. In Sagamu, only one individual the senator made a public issue out of it.

At some point, even the most sympathetic observers begin to question why a single person is consistently embroiled in controversy, particularly when others in similar circumstances are complying without incident.

The question arises: Why is it so difficult for this particular individual to adhere to lawful government processes? Thankfully, the government has offered an avenue for redress. Within this extended period, Senator Daniel, like every other resident, can present his papers for review. If irregularities exist, the government has shown willingness to allow property owners to regularize their developments. So where exactly is the conflict?

There is no justification for a country to tolerate public officials current or former misusing public assets or violating due process. Those who unlawfully seize government land without proper authorization should not be shielded by paid media campaigns or personal connections. If Senator Daniel possesses legitimate documentation, the solution is straightforward: submit it.

– Adebayo, Society for Positive Change, Abuja

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