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Okpebholo Orders Investigation Into 17-Year-Old’s Purchase of 14,000 Hectares of Land
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The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding a 17-year-old’s acquisition of 14,000 hectares of land in the state.
The governor revealed this development during a meeting with members of the Shift Nigeria Initiative in Benin City.
He said the transaction is “unusual and deeply concerning,” especially given the buyer’s age and the scale of the land involved.
According to reports, the teenager reportedly paid in full for the massive expanse of land, which spans several local government areas within Edo State. Governor Okpebholo has therefore ordered the Ministry of Lands and Surveys to collaborate with relevant security and financial intelligence agencies to uncover the source of the funds and verify the legality of the purchase.
In the meantime, the governor has announced the temporary suspension of all Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) processing and approvals across the state pending a review of recent land transactions.
He emphasized that the decision was aimed at ensuring transparency and preventing potential abuses in land administration.
Governor Okpebholo also used the occasion to call for more responsible land management and strict adherence to due process, stressing that his administration would not tolerate irregularities or fraudulent practices in land deals.
He further hinted at plans to sanitize the system and restore public confidence in the state’s land registry, assuring residents that every transaction would henceforth undergo proper scrutiny to protect both investors and communities.
The revelation has generated widespread public interest, with many calling for tighter regulations to prevent the misuse of land ownership laws in the state.
