The Ogun State Police Command has concluded investigations into an alleged ₦11m farmland fraud involving 20 acres of cocoa and kola nut plantation, with two men, Oluwaseyi Oluwatosin Olaleye, 44, and Tirisimiyu Balogun, 67, expected to face prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, following allegations of obtaining money under false pretences, money laundering and criminal conspiracy.

The case followed a petition filed by Kazeem Olanrewaju, who alleged that he paid the two suspects and another individual ₦11m for farmland located in Apora Village.

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According to the Ogun State Police Command, the alleged transaction took place between June and November 2025 at Alawaya Village, Ehin Osun, through Ijebu-Igbo.

The police said preliminary findings indicated that the suspects allegedly collected the money on the promise of selling the 20-acre agricultural property but failed to transfer the land to the buyer.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development in a statement, explaining that the investigation also uncovered allegations that the money had been diverted for personal use.

“The investigation further revealed that the money was allegedly diverted for personal use, while the promised farmland was neither transferred to the petitioner nor the money refunded,” Babaseyi said.

The investigation also led to the arrest of Olaleye, who reportedly fled to Osun State in an attempt to evade arrest.

Police operatives subsequently tracked him down and apprehended him, while further investigations allegedly established the involvement of Balogun and another individual, Akinyosola Akinlamon, in the transaction.

Akinlamon, however, remains at large, according to the police.

The command said efforts were continuing to locate the third suspect and ensure that everyone connected with the alleged transaction was brought before the law.

The case highlights the financial and legal risks that can arise from informal farmland transactions, particularly where substantial payments are made without the completion of ownership documentation or transfer arrangements.

In a separate development in August 2026, the Ogun State Police Command reiterated that disputes involving land ownership, titles and boundaries are generally civil matters for the courts, while alleged criminal activities connected to land disputes can warrant police investigation.

The clarification followed complaints of farmland destruction and suspected land grabbing in Ajogbo Akia community.

With investigations into the ₦11m transaction reportedly completed, the two arrested men are expected to answer the allegations before the Federal High Court in Abeokuta.

However, the police have stressed that the allegations do not amount to proof of guilt, noting that both suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The command’s position leaves the final determination of responsibility to the judiciary, while investigations continue into the whereabouts of the third alleged participant.