Don’t Buy A Land In Edo State Until You Read This!

How to Avoid Land Scams in Edo State: A Step-by-Step Guide for Nigerians and Diaspora Buyers

Every week, someone in Edo State cries foul over land they thought they bought “legally.” Stories abound: a young man who saved for years to buy a plot in Benin City, only to discover it was government land; a diaspora buyer who wired ₦18 million to an “agent” and never heard from him again.

Land scams in Edo State are real, and they don’t discriminate. Whether you live in Benin, Lagos, Houston, Ontario, or London, you can fall victim if you don’t understand how the system works.

But here’s the good news: Edo State has a transparent land administration system – if you know the right steps and offices to visit.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to do to ensure your dream land doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

Why Land Scams Are Common in Edo State

Edo State’s real estate market is booming, from the ever-expanding Benin suburbs to Ehor, Ekpoma, and Uromi. But rapid growth also attracts fraudsters, fake family representatives, and multiple sellers.

Common scams include:

• Selling land already sold to someone else.
• Forged documents like fake Certificates of Occupancy (C of O).
• Selling government-acquired or unapproved lands.
• Fake “community sales” by people with no right to the land.
• Most victims skipped verification – a mistake you must never make.

Step-by-Step Guide to Avoid Land Scams in Edo State

Here’s exactly how to protect your money and peace of mind.

Step 1: Verify Ownership at EDOGIS (Edo Geographic Information Service)

The first step is a title search at EDOGIS, located at the EDPA Building, Sapele Road, Benin City.
This is where Edo State keeps all official land records.

Ask for:

• Title verification: Who truly owns the land?
• Any pending disputes, encumbrances, or government interests.
• Confirmation of existing Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Right of Occupancy.
• If the seller’s name is not listed as the rightful owner, walk away.

No matter how convincing the documents look, EDOGIS verification is the ultimate truth.

Step 2: Confirm the Survey Plan at the Surveyor-General’s Office

A survey plan is like the land’s fingerprint, it shows boundaries, coordinates, and beacons. Take it to the Surveyor-General’s Office (also within EDOGIS) to confirm its authenticity.

Check that:

• The survey plan is signed by a licensed surveyor.
• The coordinates match the actual land location.
• It’s not overlapping another person’s plot or public land.
• You can even hire an independent surveyor to double-check.

Fake or duplicated survey plans are one of the biggest red flags in Edo land deals.

Step 3: Check Land Use and Planning Approval

Before you pay a dime, visit the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in Benin City.

Ask if:

• The area is approved for residential, commercial, or agricultural use.
• The land is part of an approved layout.
• It’s not reserved for a future road, school, or government project.

Many buyers lost their lands simply because they built on government-acquired land without knowing it.
One quick check at the ministry could save you millions.

Step 4: Hire a Competent Real Estate Lawyer

Please, don’t rely solely on “agents.”Hire a real estate lawyer who understands Edo State’s land laws.

Your lawyer will:

• Verify ownership documents.
• Draft and vet the Deed of Assignment or Sale Agreement.
• Ensure all family members (if it’s community land) sign a consent letter.
• Witness and notarize the transaction properly.

Remember: if it’s not written and registered, it’s not yours.

Step 5: Obtain the Governor’s Consent

Under Nigeria’s Land Use Act (1978), every land transaction needs Governor’s Consent before it’s legally binding.

Here’s how to do it in Edo State:

• Submit your Deed of Assignment and other documents to EDOGIS.
• Pay the required consent fees.
• Wait for approval and collection of your Governor’s Consent certificate.

Without the Governor’s Consent, you don’t fully own the land — you just have a risky handshake deal.

Step 6: Register Your Title at the Edo Lands Registry

Once you’ve secured the Governor’s Consent, the next step is registration.

Go to EDOGIS or Edo State Lands Registry and register:

• The Deed of Assignment.
• Survey Plan.
• Payment receipts.
• Consent approval.

This step makes you the official owner in the eyes of the law. In court, only registered titles are recognized,not verbal agreements or unsigned papers.

Step 7: Get an Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)

Edo State now issues digital Certificates of Occupancy (e-C of O) through EDOGIS.

This modern system:

• Prevents forgery or duplication.
• Makes verification easy and transparent.
• Protects you from future disputes.

If your land already has a paper C of O, recertify it electronically at EDOGIS.

Step 8: Pay Securely and Keep Records

Never pay in cash. Always use bank transfers or other traceable methods, and collect receipts showing:

• Plot number
• Location
• Purpose of payment
• Keep copies (both hard and digital) of everything.

Receipts are your first line of defense if disputes arise later.

Step 9: Inspect the Land Physically

Visit the land, not once, but twice.Go with your surveyor, meet local elders, and talk to neighbors.

You’re checking for:

• Boundaries (match them with the survey plan).
• Existing structures or disputes.
• Actual possession: is someone already living there?

Many scammers sell lands they’ve never set foot on. Your eyes are the best verification tool.

Step 10: Watch Out for Red Flags

Here are common danger signs:

• The land price is far below market value.
• The seller insists you “pay quickly before someone else buys.”
• They refuse to show original documents.
• Multiple “family representatives” show up claiming ownership.
• No traceable address or legal identity.

When in doubt – walk away. It’s cheaper to lose a deal than to lose millions.

Step 11: Register and Safeguard All Your Documents

After completing the process:

• Keep all originals (C of O, Deed, Receipts, Survey).
• Store soft copies in cloud or email.
• Visit EDOGIS periodically to confirm ownership.
• Fence or mark your land to prevent encroachment.

Final Advice

Buying land in Edo State can be one of the smartest investments you ever make, but only if you do it right.
Don’t let smooth-talking “agents” or fake family representative mislead you.

Remember: you don’t buy land with emotions, you buy it with information.

Take time to verify, consult professionals, and register properly.

Whether you’re in Nigeria or abroad, these steps will help you sleep better knowing your investment is safe and recognized by law.