The long arm of the law has finally caught up with a notorious land grabber in Ogun State, Sulaimon Adelakun, for his alleged involvement in illegal possession of firearms and breaching public peace.
Adelakun who was arrested by the men of the Ogun State Police Command was said to have attacked different communities in the state, and forcefully taken over their properties.
Adelakun’s reign of terror has left a trail of fear and insecurity among residents in the Mowe and Atan-Ota areas in the Obafemi-Owode and Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Areas respectively.
It was gathered that Sulaimon 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.
According to the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, the arrest was made in response to complaints from residents who had been subjected to threats and attacks by Adelakun and his cohorts.
Confirming the arrest to our correspondent, 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 Ogun State Police Commanda 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, A.O. 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 4th suspect- Sulaimon Adelakun who claims that all the landed properties in Orita-Araromi Village belongs to his father, invaded the village with thugs amongst whom are the 1st-3rd suspects, ts, 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.
“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
“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 Orita Atan-Ota, in Ado-Odo Ota local government area of Ogun state, 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.
Speaking out against the injustice perpetrated by Adelakun, 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 and is merely a land grabber exploiting the vulnerability of residents.
Recounting his ordeal with the land grabber, the Alakoso of Araromi Orita, Prince Rasheed Olaleye said he was brutally attacked by Adelakun.
Olaleye said he was mercilessly beaten at a junction in the area, resulting in severe injuries and a spike in his blood pressure.
“On December 7, 2023, Sule Olori Odo attacked me at a junction, I was beaten mercilessly without doing anything, one Gbenga was trying to rescue me, he was blocking the man so that those guys could not hurt me more.
“I was taken to a nurse who told me that my BP was high. I have all the evidence with me. Mr Gbenga said I was the one who reported those who were kidnapped, and that was the reason why I was beaten.
“Gbenga has been the one appearing in court for him any time he has cases in Court. Gbenga is doing all this because he was given land by Adelakun on our site at Atan.
“I don’t know the kind of power or backup that he has. Whenever police arrest him, he will be released, no matter what he has committed. He is waxing stronger in this bad character. Everyone knows him at Atan. His boys are on a rampage, so I have to leave the town,” he stated.
