Sagamu Communities Petition PCC Over Alleged Police Harassment, Land Encroachment
Three communities in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State — Ladesuwasi, Jagun Beluwo, and Maleke — have filed a formal petition to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), accusing police officers of harassment, intimidation, and illegal occupation of communal land.
In the petition obtained by The Punch on Sunday, the community representatives alleged that one Mr. Kolawole Adedayo Erinle, currently serving a 12-year jail term for a $1.4 million fraud conviction by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was behind the illegal occupation.
According to the petition, Erinle lawfully purchased four acres of land from the Maleke family in 2019 but went on to fence and occupy over 200 acres, allegedly encroaching on land belonging to the neighbouring Ladesuwasi and Jagun Beluwo families.
The communities claimed Erinle brought in police officers to secure the land, allowing him and accomplices to forcibly displace rightful landowners. Despite his conviction and incarceration, they allege he continues to orchestrate operations on the disputed land through proxies.
“For six years, these officers have remained stationed on our land, harassing our people and enabling illegal occupation and sale to land grabbers,” the petition stated. They further alleged that community members are being assaulted, farming and construction halted, and anyone resisting is beaten or arrested.
Multiple complaints to the Sagamu Area Command and the Ogun State Police Command have reportedly yielded no tangible action.
“This has created a climate of fear. It appears the police officers involved may have been compromised,” the petition added.
The signatories, including representatives from all three communities, urged the PCC to conduct an urgent investigation and intervene to restore law and order.
In response, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, confirmed awareness of the matter and stated, “Yes, the command is aware of this incident, and I have already asked the CID to look into it.”
