Olu Samuel

The Kogi State Government has said that it has uncovered instances of fraud in the processing and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) within the State.

“Following a thorough and meticulous investigation, all Certificates of Occupancy found to have been fraudulently obtained have been invalidated”.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the states information commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo in Lokoja.

“Investigations revealed that several of the affected Certificates of Occupancy had no proper documentation, no corresponding files, and did not pass through the required statutory processes. In many cases, official codes were fraudulently misapplied or manipulated in an attempt to circumvent established due process.” Fanwo stated.

The commissioner reminded the public that the constitutional authority to sign and validate every Certificate of Occupancy in Kogi State is exclusively vested in the Governor adding that “any Certificate of Occupancy issued outside this lawful process is therefore null, void, and of no legal effect.”

He said that all government properties illegally acquired through fraudulent means have been invalidated and fully reverted to the ownership of the Kogi State Government.

The Government urges individuals or entities who may have acquired land or government property under questionable or irregular circumstances to immediately come forward and verify the status of such properties with the appropriate authorities.

Furthermore, any person found to have participated in the fraudulent issuance of Certificates of Occupancy or the illegal takeover of government properties will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Kogi State Government remains resolute in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of public assets. The era of land-related fraud and impunity in Kogi State is over.” The commissioner added