The Ogun State Government has issued a notice of default concerning a property owned by Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recent election. The property, located in Ode Remo within the Remo North Local Government Area, is said to be in default of payment for Land Use and Amenities Charges totaling N72,867,004.15.
The notice, numbered 17000062 and signed by the State Ministry of Finance, demands that Adebutu make the payment within seven days to avoid enforcement actions against the property. The notice explicitly states:
“Please be informed that this property is in default of payment of Land Use and Amenities Charge which is valued at N72,867,004.15. Failure to make payment within the next seven days will make this property liable to enforcement. Note: Removal of this notice is considered an offense that attracts severe penalties.”
In response, Adebutu criticized the action as a tactic to “silence and harass the opposition in Ogun State.” He further asserted that this move undermines an ongoing legal dispute regarding the same issue.
“This latest development exemplifies a blatant misuse of state power aimed at intimidating the opposition, particularly Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu,” he stated through his Media Aide, Afolabi Orekoya. He also highlighted that the matter concerning the land charges has been under consideration in the High Court of Justice in Sagamu since 2018, with two separate suits currently filed:
1. HCS/275/2018 – Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu vs. Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee, Ogun State Ministry of Finance, Abeokuta, scheduled for hearing on October 8, 2025.
2. HCS/409/2024 – Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu vs. Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee, Ogun State Ministry of Finance, Abeokuta, which remains pending without a fixed hearing date.
Adebutu described the government’s actions as laughable and contemptuous of the judiciary, asserting that the Ministry of Finance cannot impose charges without proper property assessments as per Ogun State laws. He emphasized that the notice was posted without adhering to due process, hence the existence of ongoing litigation.
“The Ladi Adebutu Development Organization condemns this reckless abuse of power and urges Governor Abiodun’s administration to cease using government agencies as tools against perceived political opponents. Ogun State would benefit more from focusing on quality governance, infrastructure, and genuine service to the people,” he stated.
He called upon the citizens of Ogun State to recognize this intimidation tactic and maintain their resolve against what he termed tyranny.
This notice comes shortly after Governor Dapo Abiodun’s government took action to demolish properties belonging to Ogun East Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel. Daniel characterized this as political vendetta after the government marked his residence, known as Asoludero Court and its annex, for alleged contraventions. A High Court in Sagamu later granted an interim order preventing the state from demolishing or interfering with Daniel’s properties.
