The Nasarawa State Government has introduced a new set of stringent policies aimed at reforming land administration practices and tackling the growing menace of land grabbing and fraudulent property transfers in the state.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Barrister David Sule Moyi, in an official release issued in Lafia, the state capital.
Describing land as “a fixed and immovable asset”;; and the foundation of all human activity, Moyi pointed out the importance of transparent and accountable land management for the state’s socio-economic development.
He decried the alarming rise in fraudulent land deals, especially the unauthorized sale of properties belonging to deceased persons without a valid letter of administration.
“It is no longer business as usual,”;; the commissioner declared, warning that the government will no longer tolerate any form of land-related fraud.
Key measures put in place to curb these menace include: Mandatory Identification: All persons involved in land transactions—such as seeking the Governor’s consent, processing a mortgage, or executing other legal dealings—must now present a valid and updated means of identification.
Company Resolution Required: Registered companies with more than one director applying for the Governor’s consent or processing mortgages must now submit a company resolution. The document must be duly signed by either two directors or one director and the company secretary, in accordance with proper corporate governance procedures.
In-Person Transactions: All property assignments and mortgage agreements must be executed in person. Transactions conducted through proxies will only be accepted if accompanied by a valid power of attorney or managed through a qualified legal representative.
“These reforms are designed to shut the door on fraudulent actors who exploit legal loopholes for personal gain,”;; Moyi stated.
He further stated the need for thorough verification to prevent impersonation and unauthorized dealings.
The commissioner urged staff within the ministry to uphold high standards of professionalism and vigilance in processing land documents, stressing that only genuine and legally compliant transactions will now be approved.
“These directives align fully with the vision of His Excellency, Abdullahi A. Sule, who remains committed to building a transparent, efficient, and corruption-free land administration system in Nasarawa State,”;; Moyi added.
