The House of Representatives has launched a comprehensive investigation into alleged fraudulent land allocations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between May 29, 2023, and August 21, 2023. The motion, moved by Rep Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi (SDP, Nasarawa), alleges that land title documents were fraudulently issued to real estate developers during this period, when the office of the Minister of FCT was vacant.
The House is concerned that some of these allocations were made despite ongoing litigation and that beneficiaries are using them to forcibly take over disputed land, potentially leading to conflicts. The resolution tasks the Committee on FCT to identify and withdraw the allocations pending the resolution of the matter.
The investigation aims to uncover the truth behind these suspicious land deals and ensure that any fraudulent activities are brought to light. The House’s move demonstrates its commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of public land.
The motion raises important questions about the legal authority of officials who issued land titles during the period when the office of the Minister was vacant. It also highlights the need for a thorough review of the land allocation process to prevent similar fraudulent activities in the future.
The Committee on FCT has been tasked with conducting a thorough investigation and reporting back to the House within four weeks. The findings of the investigation are expected to have significant implications for the FCT administration and the real estate sector.
This development comes at a time when the country is grappling with issues of land grabbing, forced evictions, and fraudulent land deals. The House’s investigation is a welcome move towards addressing these issues and ensuring that land is managed in a transparent and accountable manner.
As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the findings and recommendations of the Committee. The outcome is expected to have far-reaching implications for the management of public land in Nigeria and may lead to reforms in the land allocation process to prevent similar fraudulent activities in the future.
