A 17-year-old boy from Edo State has shocked many after reportedly purchasing 14,000 hectares of land in a full cash payment, a transaction that has now drawn the attention of the Edo State Government.
Governor Monday Okpebholo has ordered a full investigation into the young buyer’s source of income, describing the purchase as “unusual and suspicious.”
Speaking in Benin City during a meeting with members of the Shift Naija Initiative, the governor said the probe aims to uncover how a minor could afford such a massive land deal.
“The investigation is ongoing to ascertain the source of livelihood of the possessor of the land to be able to acquire such a large expanse of land,” Okpebholo stated, stressing his administration’s commitment to accountability in land transactions.
He further announced a temporary suspension of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) issuance across the state as part of efforts to sanitize the system and prevent fraudulent land acquisitions.
Reports suggest the land, equivalent to over 34,000 acres, spans several local government areas and was allegedly bought for undisclosed commercial purposes.
The teenager reportedly made the payment in full without any form of financing or installment plan, raising even more questions about the origin of the funds.
The Edo State Ministry of Lands and Surveys is leading the inquiry, working alongside financial intelligence units to trace the payment trail.
Legal experts note that the transaction could fall under scrutiny of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, which mandates reporting of large cash transactions, especially when minors are involved.
Civil society organizations, including the Shift Naija Initiative, have welcomed the governor’s swift response, urging transparency and firm action.
“This is a test of the governor’s resolve to clean up Edo’s land sector,” a spokesperson said.
Governor Okpebholo also reiterated his broader reforms to restore integrity in land governance, vowing to protect citizens from illegal land acquisitions and manipulations.
“We cannot allow land, a critical asset for our people’s future, to be manipulated by questionable means,” he said