The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties in the state.
After the bill had gone through third reading and finally passed by a voice vote of all members present at plenary, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa directed the acting Clerk of the House, Azeez Sanni, to forward a clean copy to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his assent.
According to the provisions of the bill, land grabbers could now face a maximum and minimum of 21 and five year imprisonment respectively if convicted.
There are also various fine impositions for individuals or groups convicted of the crime.
The bill provides for prohibition of forceful land take over, entry by force, illegal occupation of property, use of land agents, illegal use of law enforcement agents, encroaching with a weapon, sales of property without authority and professional misconduct among others with their attendant punishments as regards the particular offence.
Lawmakers describes passage of the bill as a huge step towards finding a lasting solution to the activities of the land grabbers, popularly known as Omo Onile or Ajagungbale, which is an age long menace in the state.
Obasa urged Ambode to quickly sign the bill into law for enforcement.
