BY ESV. Sarah Bako
In most cities in Nigeria especially in Abuja, several individuals, groups and organizations posing as property agents and real estate developers are now involved in marketing various landed properties and estates. Flyers and pamphlets are usually used as major advertising tools to get the attention of the prospective buyers to subscribe
Strategic parts of Abuja such as Wuse 2, Federal Secretariat, Maitama, Central Business District, Asokoro and a host of other highbrow areas are prominent locations where the real estate agents canvass for subscribers. They also target commercial centres with beehive of activities including, bank premises, shopping malls, modern market complexes and government agencies
The real estate sector is manifestly on the rise in Abuja, cutting a worrisome niche. Young men and women who smartly clad in uniform are seen dot the major streets to distribute their brochures and engage prospective property buyers for patronage
Against the above scenarios, the disturbing questions, include: How authentic are most of these self-styled real estate agents and developers? How many of them are properly registered with the appropriate authorities? The properties they usually put up for sale how many of them are well gazetted? How many of them have proper titles and can be verified?
These concerns are germane because they are at the heart of the growing incidences of land frauds in Abuja and other cities in the.country
Over the years, it has been established that there are strong property cartels who pose as real estate developers only to forge documents to defraud unsuspecting subscribers
Some even advertise and sell properties that are yet to be authenticated especially in choice locations such as Guzape and Katampe extension and Maitama extension, leaving the buyers to reel in agony and frustrations
Besides, multiple sales and marketing of lands that are not properly documented are currently prevalent, creating a lot of tension and sleaze in the real estate sector in Abuja and the entire country
This has resulted in the upsurge of land frauds in the country. Experts believe that land frauds in Abuja have reached alarming heights
This is underscored by the unprecedented number of lands that have been nullified by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike over frauds related matters. It’s on record that between 2025 and 2026 alone, the Minister has cancelled over 485 land documents on account of forged documents, double allocations and fake signatures
Similarly, it’s because of the high rate of frauds in real estate sector that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has moved in to sanitize the sector by embarking on massive raids on the agents and developers. In recent times, lands in Kurudu, Jikwoyi, Sabon Lugbe areas have been identified as the biggest flash points
The developers seemingly exploit weak regulations to embark on land sleaze thereby putting their customers in a serious financial mess and stress
It is disgusting that most of these developers act without legal licenses as they are unregistered. As a result they bypass essential regulatory checks and sell documents with no proper titles.
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Most times they make false claims to lure unsuspecting subscribers into making purchases and payments. For instance, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Development Authority ( FCDA ) is a regulatory body that approves land allocations and issues C of O. For this reason, the unregistered developers would always add to their pamphlets that the land or property they are selling is FCDA approved which makes any buyer in Abuja very comfortable and feels safe to buy.
Another major concern is that the developers allow buyers to purchase properties using fictitious names and fake funding services which is a case of money laundering
Urgent steps must therefore be taken to stem the tide of this ugly situation to sanitize the sector for enhanced service delivery and socio-economic development
First, investors are advised to verify land titles properly at the appropriate office like the Land Registry. Abuja Geographic Information Service and similar bodies at state level
Besides, investors should avoid short cuts while checking these titles and to also check the legitimacy of developers using the Department of Mass Housing, Corporate Affairs Commission and state regulatory bodies when the land involves the state
Physical inspection of the property intended for purchase is necessary as well as the involvement of a legal practitioner to offer legal advice
It is dangerous to rely only on information provided by developer’s brochure and to cave in to pressure of the agent to make prompt payment when proper verifications have not
been duly carried out.
The battle against Corruption in the real estate sector is a collective one. All stakeholders must as a matter of urgency be involved if it must be scaled down considerably.
ESV SARAH BAKO