Omobolaji Adekunle, Abeokuta
The Ladi Adebutu Development Organization has accused the Ogun State Government of attempting to enforce land use charges on a property owned by Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, despite ongoing legal proceedings on the matter.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the organization’s Director of Media and Publicity, Afolabi Orekoya, officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Finance posted a Notice of Default on one of Adebutu’s properties located in Ode Remo, Remo North Local Government Area. The property is currently the subject of two pending lawsuits filed by Hon. Adebutu, challenging the validity of land use and amenity charges imposed by the state.
The two suits — HCS/275/2018 and HCS/409/2024 — are before the High Court of Justice in Sagamu. The former is scheduled for hearing on October 8, 2025, while the latter remains pending with no date fixed.
“This latest move is a clear misuse of state power to intimidate the opposition, particularly Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu,” the statement reads. “It is contemptuous of the judiciary for the government to attempt enforcement on a matter still before competent courts of law.”
The organization argues that the Ministry of Finance failed to follow due process in assessing the charges and described the notice as an “illegal enforcement action.” It further claimed the action was politically motivated and part of a broader pattern of harassment aimed at silencing opposition voices in the state.
“The Ministry of Finance cannot unilaterally impose land use charges without proper assessment of the property in line with the relevant laws,” Orekoya said.
Calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun to stop “weaponizing government agencies against perceived political opponents,” the group urged the public to remain vigilant and not be swayed by what it described as intimidation tactics.
“Ogun State would be better served if the same energy was channeled into providing quality governance, infrastructure, and real service to the people,” the statement concluded.
Efforts to reach the Ogun State Ministry of Finance and the Governor’s office for comment were unsuccessful.
