This legal dispute centers around a substantial tract of land, approximately 15,309 acres, situated in Ilara Remo, within the Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. The landowners, represented by a group including community leaders and members of the Ilara Remo Development Association, have filed a lawsuit against Governor Dapo Abiodun, the state government, and two companies, Industrial Platform Remo Limited and Arise Integrated Industrial Platform, alleging unlawful trespass and alienation of their ancestral land. The heart of the matter lies in the claimants’ assertion of legal and beneficial ownership of the land, a claim they contend is being violated by the defendants’ actions.
The legal proceedings commenced with the claimants seeking an interim injunction to halt any further activity on the disputed land. Justice O.S. Oloyede of the Ogun State High Court in Sagamu granted this initial injunction on September 1, 2025, temporarily preventing Governor Abiodun, his agents, and the two companies from trespassing or further developing the land. This interim order provided a temporary reprieve for the claimants, safeguarding their interests pending a more comprehensive hearing and resolution of the underlying dispute.
On Monday, November 27, 2025, the court convened again to address the matter. The defendants’ legal representatives, including counsel for Governor Abiodun, the Attorney General of Ogun State, and Industrial Platform Remo Limited, informed the court that they were still in the process of preparing their formal legal responses and requested additional time to finalize their documentation. This procedural delay necessitated a further extension of the interim injunction, ensuring the protection of the disputed land remained in place while the defendants prepared their case.
Acknowledging the defendants’ request and the ongoing procedural requirements, Justice Oloyede granted a three-month extension to the interim injunction. This decision effectively prolonged the standstill order until January 13, 2026, the newly scheduled date for the next hearing. This extension provides the defendants the necessary time to complete their legal preparations and present their arguments to the court, while simultaneously preserving the status quo and preventing any further actions on the land that could prejudice the claimants’ case.
The claimants’ legal team, led by Dr. Olumide Ayeni (SAN), concurred with the extension, recognizing the need for a fair and complete hearing. They emphasized that the continued injunction was crucial to prevent further encroachment and potential irreversible changes to the land. The claimants’ central argument revolves around the assertion that the defendants, particularly the two companies, have been actively developing the land, erecting structures, and even alienating portions to third parties, all without their consent. This, they argue, represents a deliberate attempt to create a situation on the ground that would be difficult to reverse, even if the court ultimately rules in their favor.
The claimants’ concerns extend beyond mere trespass. They accuse the companies of acting with the support and backing of Governor Abiodun and the state government, alleging a concerted effort to dispossess them of their ancestral land. They argue that monetary compensation alone would not be sufficient to address the loss of their land, emphasizing its cultural and historical significance. The court’s decision to extend the interim injunction underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the need to protect the claimants’ rights pending a full and fair hearing of the case. The next hearing, scheduled for January 13, 2026, will be crucial in determining the future of the disputed land and the competing claims of ownership.
