A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) remains one of the most significant land ownership documents in Nigeria. Issued by state governments, it confirms a person’s legal right to occupy and use a parcel of land for a defined period, usually 99 years.
However, the rising incidence of forged land papers has made verification essential for anyone involved in property transactions. Experts advise that no land purchase should be concluded without proper authentication of the title document.
Below are key measures used to confirm the authenticity of a Certificate of Occupancy.
Confirm the registration number
Every valid C of O carries a unique registration number assigned by the relevant state land authority. This number is expected to be traceable in official government records.
Prospective buyers are advised to cross-check the number at the state land registry. Where the number is missing, inconsistent, or untraceable, it raises a strong red flag.
Conduct a land registry search
One of the most reliable verification steps is a search at the state land registry.
Such a search can confirm whether the title exists in official records, whether it has been properly registered, and whether there are existing disputes, government acquisitions, or encumbrances attached to the land.
Inspect seals and authorised signatures
Authentic Certificates of Occupancy must contain official government seals, certified signatures, and endorsements from the issuing authority.
Buyers are urged to be cautious where seals appear blurred, signatures look inconsistent, or where alterations and tampering are suspected. Forged documents often attempt imitation but usually fail to replicate official details accurately.
Match ownership details
The name on the Certificate of Occupancy should correspond with the individual or organisation claiming ownership of the property.
Discrepancies between the document and supporting identity records should be properly investigated before any financial commitment is made.
Verify the survey plan
A valid survey plan is a key companion document to any C of O. It contains coordinates and land descriptions that must align with the physical property on sale.
Property buyers are advised to engage a registered surveyor to confirm that the coordinates match official records and that the land is not under government acquisition or restriction.
Avoid reliance on photocopies
Experts warn against concluding land transactions based solely on photocopied documents.
Copies can be altered or incomplete, making it difficult to detect irregularities. Where originals are unavailable, independent verification from the appropriate land authority becomes even more critical.
In all, due diligence remains the strongest safeguard against land fraud in Nigeria’s real estate sector, where fake documentation continues to pose serious risks to unsuspecting buyers.
(Tribune)
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