The Lagos State Government has given land owners six months to obtain valid title documents or face sanctions.
Gov. Babatunde Fashola gave the warning on Monday in Ikeja while signing into law the State’s Land Use Act, entitled “ Title Document Regulations 2012”.
He said the six-month notice, effective from Aug. 1, was an ample time for property owners to regularise the titles of their assets.
According to the governor, many residents acquired land without obtaining the approved titles thereby causing disputes.
Fashola said some land owners presented forged documents to obtain Certificates of Occupancy, describing such practice as criminal.
“Our officers at the Land Bureau are constantly inundated with forged applications by land owners seeking C-of-O. Some of them present receipts having dates earlier than 1978 to create the impression that they acquired their land before the Land Use Act was promulgated.
“Also, some corporate organisations apply for C-of-O with fake certificates of incorporation and other documents; this is forgery and it violates the law of the state.
“ Those who have applied for C-of-O with forged documents should withdraw their applications or risk prosecution,’’ Fashola said.
He said the new law was the state’s response to the problems associated with land documentation and also to ensure efficient land services to the people.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, said those who presented forged documents for C-of- O might have done it out of ignorance.
“The Land Use Act makes provisions for those who acquired their land before and after the Act was promulgated in 1978,’’ he said.
Ipaye promised that the governor would promptly approve applications for C-of-O.
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