Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Edo State Government has launched a formal investigation into a startling case involving a 17-year-old boy who allegedly purchased 14,000 hectares of land with full payment made to the original owners. The development, which has drawn widespread public attention, prompted Governor Monday Okpebholo to suspend the signing of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) pending the outcome of the inquiry.
According to preliminary information, the teenager, whose identity has not been disclosed due to legal reasons, reportedly completed the entire payment for the vast stretch of land—an acquisition that has raised serious questions about the source of his funds and possible involvement of undisclosed financiers.
Governor Okpebholo, speaking through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, emphasized that the state would not proceed with any official documentation until all facts are thoroughly verified. He stated that the administration has a duty to ensure that every land transaction within Edo State adheres to due process and transparency standards.
“This government will not sign any document or approve any transaction of such magnitude until we establish the truth behind the alleged purchase. The young man must explain the legitimate source of his income,” the Governor said.
He added that the state’s Ministry of Lands and Survey, alongside the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) and relevant security agencies, had been directed to carry out a joint investigation to determine how the transaction was processed, who facilitated it, and whether any public officials were complicit in the sale.
Officials privy to the probe hinted that the transaction may have involved multiple intermediaries and private agents. Investigators are reportedly reviewing payment records, title documents, and statements from community leaders in the area where the land is located.
Legal experts in Benin City have described the case as unprecedented, noting that it highlights deep concerns about the regulation of land acquisition in Nigeria. Barrister Aghogho Ehiosu, a property law specialist, told Stone Reporters News that while minors can acquire property through trustees, any transaction suggesting personal ownership or direct payment must trigger a financial scrutiny process.
“If the boy made such payments personally, it raises a red flag. The law presumes that anyone under 18 cannot engage in binding contracts of this nature. Therefore, the government’s response is both legal and necessary,” Ehiosu explained.
Meanwhile, public reaction on social media has been intense, with many Nigerians demanding full disclosure of the parties involved. Some commentators have commended the governor’s swift intervention, while others have urged law enforcement agencies to broaden the investigation to identify possible money laundering or fraudulent activities.
As of press time, the Edo State Government maintained that no Certificate of Occupancy would be issued or endorsed until the investigation concludes and the financial trail behind the transaction is fully clarified.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accountability, good governance, and the rule of law, assuring citizens that the outcome of the investigation will be made public.
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