Edo GIS Breaks Silence on Alleged 17-Year-Old Who Bought 14 Hectares of Land

The EdoGIS Breaks Silence on Alleged 17-Year-Old Who Bought 14 Hectares of Land

EdoToday reports that the Edo Geographic Information Systems (Edo GIS) has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that a 17-year-old boy purchased 14 hectares of land in Edo State and was later denied a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

In an official statement signed by the Director of Press, Tunde Egbiremonlen, the agency described the report as false, misleading, and entirely fabricated, noting that there is no record of such a transaction in its system.

Egbiremonlen clarified that under Edo State law, a 17-year-old is legally considered a minor and therefore ineligible to register land ownership. He explained that the GIS platform automatically rejects applications that do not meet the legal age requirement.

“A 17-year-old cannot apply for land registration in Edo State because that age bracket is classified as a minor. The Edo GIS system will automatically reject such an application,” the statement read.

The spokesperson also highlighted several inconsistencies in the viral report, including the absence of any reference to the exact location of the alleged 14 hectares, describing the claims as “mischievous and deliberately fabricated.”

Egbiremonlen further alleged that the false report was part of a coordinated attempt to blackmail the Edo State Government, adding that significant sums were allegedly spent to promote the fake story online.

He urged members of the public to disregard the misinformation and remain cautious about unverified claims on social media, reaffirming Edo GIS’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process in land administration.