The Edo Geographic Information Service (Edo GIS) has debunked viral reports claiming that a 17-year-old boy bought 14,000 hectares of land in the state.
The rumour, which circulated widely on social media, also alleged that Governor Monday Okpebholo suspended the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy after the supposed discovery.
But in a statement signed by its Director of Press, Tunde Egbiremonlen, on Monday, Edo GIS described the report as false, misleading, and mischievous.
Egbiremonlen clarified that no such transaction exists in the agency’s records, stressing that a 17-year-old is legally a minor and cannot own or register land under Edo State laws.
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“In the first place, a 17-year-old cannot apply for registration of land in Edo State because he is a minor; the Edo GIS system will automatically reject the application,” the statement read.
He also pointed out that the people spreading the false story failed to mention the exact location of the alleged 14,000 hectares, further proving the claims were fabricated.
The agency urged the public to disregard the fake news, alleging that it was being circulated by individuals who had spent a lot of money to push misinformation.
Governor Okpebholo, in recent months, has introduced several reforms aimed at sanitising land administration in Edo State. This includes the revocation of a contract with a private firm previously responsible for managing the software used for processing Certificates of Occupancy.
