Edo GIS Denies Viral Claim That 17-Year-Old Bought 14,000 Hectares of Land
Edo GIS Denies Viral Claim That 17-Year-Old Bought 14,000 Hectares of Land
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Edo Geographic Information Service (Edo GIS) has dismissed as false and misleading a viral social media report alleging that a 17-year-old boy purchased 14,000 hectares of land in the state — an incident that supposedly prompted Governor Monday Okpebholo to suspend the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O).
In a statement released on Monday and signed by its Director of Press, Tunde Egbiremonlen, the agency described the claim as a deliberate act of misinformation designed to mislead the public and discredit ongoing land administration reforms in Edo State.
‘No Such Transaction Exists’ — Edo GIS
Egbiremonlen made it clear that no record of such a transaction exists within the agency’s database and that it is legally impossible for a 17-year-old to register land ownership in the state.
“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,” he stated.
He further questioned the authenticity of the viral claim, noting that the originators of the story failed to specify the location of the alleged 14,000 hectares supposedly purchased by the minor.
“To compound the objective of the rumour-mongers, the peddlers of the story did not explain where in Edo State such 14,000 hectares were purchased by the minor,” the statement added.
Egbiremonlen said the agency’s automated system includes age verification filters that prevent underage individuals from acquiring or registering land titles, adding that the story was fabricated to create unnecessary panic and distrust.
Agency Urges Public to Ignore False Claims
The Edo GIS urged members of the public to disregard the false report, warning against the spread of unverified information on social media.
According to the statement, those behind the viral post had allegedly spent significant sums of money to push the misinformation online, in what appears to be a calculated effort to tarnish the state government’s image.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, technology-driven land administration, which aims to eliminate fraud, enhance public confidence, and support Governor Okpebholo’s reform agenda.
Background: Okpebholo’s Ongoing Land Reforms
Governor Monday Okpebholo has in recent months introduced a number of reforms in Edo’s land management system, aimed at improving efficiency, curbing corruption, and restoring integrity to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.
Among the reforms is the termination of a contract with a private firm that previously managed the state’s C of O software, a move that was widely praised by stakeholders who accused the former service provider of inefficiency and opacity.
The government has also been reviewing land allocations to ensure that transactions follow due process and align with the state’s development goals.
Akahi News Insight
This latest viral episode underscores the growing challenge of digital misinformation in Nigeria’s governance landscape, particularly in states undergoing institutional reform. The Edo GIS response reflects a broader pushback by public institutions against the weaponisation of social media rumours for political or economic ends.
From an analytical standpoint, the claim that a 17-year-old could purchase 14,000 hectares of land — roughly equivalent to over 34,000 acres — should immediately raise public suspicion. Not only is such an acquisition beyond the legal and financial capacity of a minor, but it would also require a complex chain of approvals and documentation impossible to conceal under Edo’s digitised land registry.
The situation highlights an urgent need for media literacy and fact-checking culture among citizens. As Akahi News has consistently observed, misinformation around land issues can trigger unnecessary tension, distort market perception, and undermine public trust in government reforms.
Governor Okpebholo’s ongoing measures — including system automation, contract reviews, and regulatory tightening — are steps in the right direction toward a modern, transparent, and accountable land administration system in Edo State.
In the final analysis, Edo GIS’s swift clarification sends a clear message: the era of unchecked falsehoods in public governance is coming to an end, and digital truth verification is now a cornerstone of responsible administration.
🎓 Attend 2026 JAMB, Post-UTME, WAEC, and NECO GCE Tutorials
Get fully prepared with expert tutors, comprehensive study materials, and personalised academic guidance at Akahi Tutors.
📍 Located at 67, Oduduwa College Road, Off Sabo Junction, Ile-Ife.
📞 Call: 08038644328
for enrollment and accommodation reservation.
Akahi News
http://www.akahinews.org
