Every year, countless Nigerians lose their hard-earned money to fraudulent land deals involving Ọmọ Onílè (local landowners). Many unsuspecting buyers fall victim to scams, ending up purchasing the same land twice or losing their investments entirely.

Real estate expert and Chief Executive Officer of GLE Properties (GodslandEmpire), Timothy Moyofola, has warned Nigerians to be extra cautious when buying land, emphasising the need for proper verification before making any payment.

“The biggest mistake buyers make is assuming that the seller is the rightful owner,” Moyofola stated. “Many Ọmọ Onílè have no legal proof of ownership, they just claim the land is theirs.”

One of the most common tricks involves Ọmọ Onílè selling the same land to multiple buyers. In other cases, they sell land that has already been acquired by the government, leaving buyers with no legal claim.

Moyofola advised buyers to take the following precautions to avoid falling into these traps: verifying the seller’s ownership by speaking with homeowners in the area, ensuring at least three key family members sign if it’s family land, and checking for disputes, especially if two families jointly own the land.

He also warned against purchasing government-acquired land, urging buyers to hire a registered surveyor to verify the land’s status at the Surveyor General’s Office.

He emphasised the importance of purchasing land through reputable real estate firms rather than dealing directly with Ọmọ Onílè.

“At GLE Properties, we ensure that every land we sell is 100 per cent verified and free from disputes,” he assured.

With land scams on the rise, experts continue to urge Nigerians to conduct proper due diligence before investing in real estate.