The 2023 Ogun State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Oladipupo Adebutu, and Governor Dapo Abiodun on Monday differed over the notice of N72m land use and amenities charge pasted on Adebutu’s properties at Ode Remo, in the Remo North Local Government Area of the state.
Adebutu, in a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity, Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Afolabi Orekoya, insisted that the seven-day ultimatum notice of payment of N72,867,000 pasted on his properties is rooted in intimidation and harassment of opposition members as well as contempt of court.
Abiodun, speaking through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, however, deflated these allegations, saying that the payment of land use charge is statutory across the country and has no political undertones.
Adebutu explained, “For the record, the matter of land use and amenity charge on the said property has been before the High Court of Justice, Sagamu, since 2018 and currently the subject of two separate suits quoted below:
“HCS/275/2018 – Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu vs. Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee, Ogun State Ministry of Finance, Abeokuta, coming up on October 8, 2025.
“HCS/409/2024 – Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu vs. Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee, Ogun State Ministry of Finance, Abeokuta, still pending without a date fixed.”
The opposition leader, who is also from the same town of Iperu Remo as the governor, added, “It was therefore laughable and contemptuous of the judiciary, for the government and its agents to attempt to enforce charges that are already being contested in competent courts of law.”
He revealed further that, by the position of the law, the Ministry of Finance cannot unilaterally impose land use charges without a proper assessment of the property in line with the Land Use and Amenities Charge laws of Ogun State.
Adebutu continued, saying, “In this particular case, the so-called notice was merely posted on the property without due process, hence the ongoing litigation.
“The Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation condemns this reckless abuse of power and calls on Governor Abiodun’s government to stop weaponising government agencies against perceived political opponents.
“Ogun State would be better served if the same energy were channelled into providing quality governance, infrastructure, and real service to the people.
“We urge the good people of Ogun State to see through this intimidation tactic and remain resolute in the face of tyranny. Democracy cannot thrive where opposition voices are silenced through harassment and illegal enforcement actions.”
Reacting, Akinmade said, “They are only crying wolf where there is none. Land use charge is statutory and it is one of the ways and means the government generate revenues to serve the people.
“Every state government in the country collect land use charges. It is not peculiar to Ogun State or Adebutu. I have the one sent to Rock City FM in Abeokuta, so why should they continue to politicise everything?
“It shows that they are bereft of ideas. It is not connected to party affiliation and has no political undertones, so they should stop all these shenanigans.
“This notice of payment default is pasted on all properties that have failed to remit their land use charge.”
The governor’s spokesman disclosed further that he has never seen anyone taking the government to court because the government is requesting land use charges, which are statutory, saying, “And if you have anything against this request, all you are to do is to approach the Ministry of Finance to argue your case.”
