Lagos moves to tackle fake land documents

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on
Monday, said many of the land documents in the
state were fake.
He said this during the signing of the Land Use Act,
Title, Documentation and Regulation bill into law at
the Lagos House.
Fashola said, "In a day only, I discovered that out of
50 files, eight are false and I forwarded them to the
Attorney-General for prosecution."
He added that the discovery was besides the ones
already discovered by the land bureau officials.
He, however, urged land owners to use opportunities
provided by the new Land Use law to obtain valid title
documents.
He said, "If people need lands, they are available, we
will help to process and regulate them.
"Those that have trumped up files should honourably
come and withdraw them, and come with fresh re-
applications. They should be able to process new and
authentic land document within the next six
months."
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,
Mr. Ade Ipaye, explained that the bill would aid in the
authentication of land ownership in the state.
He said, "This will help in providing valid
documentation and total registration of land in
Lagos. This will eliminate squabbles and fraudulent
transactions perpetrated by deceitful people.
"Anyone that presents forged documents will be
prosecuted under the criminal law, which is a year
imprisonment."
The Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau, Mr. Hakeem
Okunola, said through the law, people would have
confidence that they have valid land titles.