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By Ngozi Nwoke
In the heart of Lagos, where dreams are made and fortunes are won, a sinister industry thrives, preying on the vulnerable and the hopeful.
Land scams have become a plague, leaving countless victims in their wake, their hard-earned savings evaporating like mist in the morning sun.
Mrs Rita Adeola, a Lagos widow who lost ₦5 million to a cunning land agent, shared that she used her life savings and money borrowed from friends to purchase three plots of land but was devastated when her worst fears became reality.
“I was looking for a place to build my family home,” she recounted, her voice trembling with emotion. “The person who claimed to be the land owner and four others who stood as his witness showed me well designed plots of land in Ajah, with all the papers and documents in order. I involved my attorney who carried out all investigations, and I paid the money. But when I went to start construction, I found another buyer had already laid claim to the land.”
Adeola’s eyes welled up with tears as she recalled the devastating discovery. “I felt like I lost everything,” she said, her voice cracking. “I borrowed money from friends and family to make the payment. I don’t know how I’ll ever get it back.”
“I just want to warn people to be careful. Do your research, verify the documents, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your hard-earned money is at stake.”
Her story is a strong reminder of the emotional toll land scams take on victims, leaving them not just financially drained but also emotionally shattered.
The sense of betrayal and shame lingers, making it difficult for victims to speak out or seek help.
Mr Sunday Chukwu, a businessman in Agege, narrated that he was sold the same plot of land by two different agents in 2021 at Mowe, an outskirts of Lagos, losing ₦10 million in the process as his life became endangered.
His words echoed with a sense of regret and amazement for the scammers’ cunning practice.
“I verified the documents. I visited the site and even checked with the local authorities. But it turned out the documents were forged, and the site was sold to multiple buyers. My trust was shattered.
“I thought I was being smart, doing my research and all,” he said, shaking his head. “But these scammers are professionals. They know all the tricks.”
Then there is Ms. Ann Nwosu, a professional caterer and event manager who lost her savings to a fake real estate agent. Her voice cracked as she recalled the painful memory.
“I had been saving for years, scraping to put together a deposit, and just like that, it was gone. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat, I was consumed by anxiety. I felt like I’d let myself and my family down.
“I was so excited to own a place in Lagos, but when I went to inspect the property, I found it was already sold to someone else. I felt so stupid, so helpless.”
Sunday Eze, another victim of the persisting land scams, spoke in anger and frustration that many of the land scammers are not caught and not made to face the law.
“I’m not just saying this because I lost money close to ₦ 4 million. We need a system that protects buyers, a system that ensures land sellers are accountable for their actions. An accredited union or association regulated by the state government would make a huge difference.”
“These scammers are always one step ahead, always finding ways to manipulate the system. But if there’s a registered body overseeing land sales, they’ll be forced to play by the rules. Buyers will have someone to turn to when things go wrong.”
Eze’s experience has left him bitter, but he’s determined to see change. “I want people to be able to buy land without fear of being scammed. We need transparency, accountability, and consequences for those who break the law.”
The Nigerian land registration system is riddled with loopholes, making it easy for scammers to operate with impunity.
The lack of a centralised property registry as well as inadequate verification processes have created a fertile ground for fraudsters to thrive.
Prominent real estate expert, Chinelo Anthony called for the regulation of the real estate sector to protect buyers from scammers.
Speaking on the need for accredited real estate agents, Anthony said: “We need accredited real estate agents or land sellers. This will help weed out the scammers and ensure that buyers are protected.”
She explained that the accreditation process would involve thorough background checks and verification of credentials, making it harder for scammers to operate undetected. This, she said, would boost buyer confidence and stimulate growth in the real estate market.
Anthony also advocated a centralised land registry, saying it would prevent multiple sales of the same plot, providing a clear record of ownership and transactions. “This would be a significant step towards a more transparent and secure land market in Nigeria,” she said.
A concerned citizen simply identified as Gbemisola also state: “It’s not all land owners that are innocent. Some deliberately sell the same plot of land to multiple buyers, pocketing the money. It’s a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s a recipe for disaster. These people are destroying the reputation of honest land owners and agents.”
Saturday Sun spoke to a few landowners in Lagos, who shared their experiences with land scams.
“I’ve been selling land for years, and I’ve never had a problem,” said Benjamin Courage, a land owner. “But I’ve heard of people selling the same plot to multiple buyers. It’s unethical, and it’s spoiling business for genuine sellers in our industry. I may not understand what it feels like since I haven’t been a victim of a land scam. But I can tell you that these scammers do not deserve to see the light of the day.”
Temple Gozie, another land owner, who has been a victim of land grabbing, noted: “I’ve lost count of how many times these land scammers have tried to sell my land at Magodo without my knowledge. It’s frustrating, but I’m fighting back.
“I’ve been through hell, honestly. They forged documents, attempted to sell my land to unsuspecting buyers, and left me to deal with the embarrassment because I was suspected to be the scammer. But I proved it was genuinely my land with the original documents and arrested the criminal scammers. I left them for the police and court to deal with.”
Femi Adedeji, another land owner in Itire, Surulere, who has been in the business for decades, lamented: “The system is broken. We need a reform. We need accountability. Until then, these scammers will continue to thrive.
“A comprehensive overhaul of the system, including stricter enforcement of laws and harsher penalties for scammers, is seen as a crucial step towards restoring trust in the real estate sector.”
In a statement on its website, the National Chairman of the Association of Estate Agents (AEAN), Isah Jatto disclosed that its mandate is clear for execution.
“We are committed to transforming the real estate landscape in Nigeria. Our mandate is clear: to professionalise and regulate the industry, eliminating quackery and unethical practices. We are setting standards, providing training, and ensuring our members adhere to a strict code of conduct.”
Jatto emphasised the importance of accountability. “Our goal is to protect the public from fraudulent transactions and ensure they receive quality service. We are working tirelessly to bring non-professionals under control and promote a culture of transparency and integrity.”
The AEAN is also embracing technology to modernise practices and improve efficiency.
“Proptech is the future. We are incorporating digital tools to enhance the real estate experience, making it easier and safer for Nigerians to buy, sell, and manage properties.
“With government recognition and legal status on the horizon, the AEAN is poised to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s real estate sector. We are working towards a future where every estate agent in Nigeria is a professional, committed to excellence and integrity,” Jatto affirmed.
The Lagos State Government has taken steps to address the issue by establishing the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) to oversee the real estate sector. But victims and other residents insist that more needs to be done to protect buyers and honest land owners.
The establishment of LASRERA is seen as a positive move, but real estate experts believe that more stringent measures are required to curb the activities of land scammers and ensure a safe and secure real estate market in Nigeria.
