The Kogi State Government has announced that it has uncovered multiple cases of fraud in the processing and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy within the state.
“Following a thorough and meticulous investigation, all Certificates of Occupancy found to have been fraudulently obtained have been invalidated,” said the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement on Thursday in Lokoja.
Fanwo explained that investigations revealed several C-of-Os were issued without proper documentation, lacked corresponding files, and bypassed required statutory procedures.
“In many cases, official codes were fraudulently misapplied or manipulated in an attempt to circumvent established due process,” he added.
The commissioner reminded the public that the constitutional authority to sign and validate every C-of-O in Kogi State rests exclusively with the governor. “Any Certificate of Occupancy issued outside this lawful process is therefore null, void, and of no legal effect,” he said.
Fanwo further stated that all government properties acquired illegally through fraudulent means have been invalidated and fully reverted to the ownership of the state government.
The government urged individuals or entities who may have obtained land or government property under questionable circumstances to verify the status of such properties with the appropriate authorities.
“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 commissioner warned.
He emphasised the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability. “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,” Fanwo said.
In this article