21st June, 2023
By Alex Enebeli
Enugu State government has suspended the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy, Deeds of Conveyance and other land-ownership documents.
Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the Secretary to the State Government, announced this on Wednesday in Enugu.
He noted that the suspension took immediate effect.
“The general public is reminded that Certificates of Occupancy can only be validly signed by the governor in line with provisions of the law,’’ Onyia stated.
Under the Land Use Act of 1978, land in the state is vested in the governor but not without responsibility, as he hold it in trust for the people and he can only revoke for overriding public interest.
Chapter one of the Act stated thus: “Subject to the provisions of this Act, all land comprised in the territory of each State in the Federation is hereby vested in the Governor of that State, and such land shall be held in trust and administered for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
NAN