by Rachel Ogbu

A proposed three-year jail term for anyone guilty of engaging in forcible occupation of landed properties in Lagos has second reading as one of the provisions of the state’s Properties Protection Bill, 2013.

In a statement by the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, the bill was meant to hinder the use of force over any landed property in the state.

Chairman, Committee on Lands and Housing, Bayo Osinowo said:

“About 60 per cent of Certificates of Occupancy in circulation are fake. The bill is expected to correct this anomaly.”

“In Lagos State, land is our major resource. It is our petrol compared to oil-producing states in the country. Therefore, nothing is too much to protect its sanctity.”

Also, Sanai Agunbiade, from the state house explained that the bill would address the issue of land agents who seized landed properties forcibly.

“The bill will protect potential buyers from omo-onile before and during construction work.”

According to reports, the bill insisted on a fine of N200, 000 or three years imprisonment for any person found guilty.

“The bill also states that anyone found with chemical, firearms and other weapons over land matters will be liable to death sentence,” he said.

The Punch reports:

However, a lawmaker,  Mudasiru Obasa, had a contrary view on the proposed bill. He argued that the existing law should be able to take care of any issue that arose over land, adding that no new law was required.

The bill was given to the Committee on Lands and Housing and that of Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions. They are expected to report back in a month’s time.