How to Know If a Land is Free From Government Acquisition in Lagos

Knowing how to accurately identify land that is free from government acquisition in Lagos is a big flex. With the recent spate of property demolitions in Lagos, the last thing you want is to buy a piece of land only to discover that it is under government acquisition, and risk losing the property altogether.

To avoid such a costly mistake, we’ve taken the time to elaborate on how to know if land is free from government acquisition, focusing on Lagos state.

We’d look into some of the reasons why a property can get demolished even when you think you’ve gone through the right procedures. You’d also learn which type of properties to steer clear off and which you can invest in.

Without further ado, let’s dive into how to determine if land in Lagos is free from government acquisition:

1. Understanding Land Zoning in Lagos

Land zoning basically refers to the process of dividing lands into separate areas or zones for specific uses. Now a lot of people buy land without knowing what purpose the land is specified for. A good example is someone building a residential property in a zone that is meant for commercial use.

This is one reason why a lot of demolitions occur in Lagos. You find people building and erecting properties in places that are not designated for that purpose.

Lands in Lagos state are typically classified into three major categories:

i. Committed Lands

This refers to lands that are already designated for government use, for public projects like schools, hospitals or transportation. These lands are not available for private ownership or use.

ii. Acquired Lands

These are lands under government acquisition that may not have any specific public purpose. These lands can later be released to the community or converted to free land if the government chooses to do so.

iii. Free Land

These are lands free from any form of government acquisition. You can purchase it for residential purposes or private use without facing legal risks.

Understanding these land zones, and knowing what zone your land falls in can save you from having your property demolished.

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2. Conduct a Search at the Lagos Land Registry

The Lagos State Land Registry located in Alausa, Ikeja holds the records of all lands within the state, including the lands that are under government acquisition.

Conducting a search at the Land Registry will help you certify that your land is free and not under government acquisition.

To perform the search at the land registry in Lagos, you’d need to provide the details of the property such as the survey plan. In addition, you’d also be required to pay an amount of money before the search is carried out.

3. Check the Survey Plan with help from a Professional Surveyor

A survey plan is a vital document you will need when trying to identify the status of any land. It contains the size of the land and boundaries, it also contains the seller’s name and address.

When you obtain the survey plan from the seller or landowner, the office of the Surveyor-General of Lagos state (which is located in Alausa, Ikeja) will mark the land status as either:

Committed government acquisition
Uncommitted government acquisition
Free from Acquisition

To carry out this verification, you can enlist the help of a licensed surveyor. A licensed surveyor will ascertain if the land is located at the exact region on the survey plan, and also harness technical and geographical tools to ensure the land is within the boundaries as mapped out on the plan.

4. Request a Land Information Certificate

A Land Information Certificate (LIC) is a document the Lagos State Government gives stating the detailed information about a property including its ownership and the status of the land, if it is free from government acquisition.

You can obtain this document, LIC from the office of the Surveyor-General of Lagos in Ikeja. To get the document, you are to pay a fee based on the location and the size of the land.

5. Check the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)

A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is a document that is issued by the state government indicating a person has rights over a particular land.

This document serves as proof that the land is not under government acquisition. Hence, if a piece of land has a valid Certificate of Occupancy or Governor’s consent, it means such land has been formally recognized as being free from acquisition.

A Governor’s Consent is necessary when a piece of land is being transferred from one person to another. This document signifies that the state government has consented to this land transaction between both parties.

6. Verify Titles with the help of a Property Lawyer

Engaging the services of a property lawyer will ensure your titles are verified, and will also help in handling all paperwork. A property lawyer already has experience in land and real estate issues, hence they can come in handy when you experience issues you cannot tackle on your own.

7. Use the Lagos e-GIS Integrated Land Administration Portal

The electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS) portal is a platform created by the Lagos state government to tackle land issues. The portal deals with matters concerning land documentation, acquisition and land title verifications.

The platform provides easy access to land records in Lagos state.

With the introduction of this digital platform, you can easily carry out preliminary checks to verify the status of land before visiting the land registry. Simply input the details of a land to get information such as its acquisition status, owner and survey plan. You can also apply for Governor’s consent and Land titles on the platform.

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Conclusion

Purchasing land in Lagos can be quite tedious, add to that the fear of demolition after investing a lot of time and effort, makes it even more stressful. Taking the necessary steps such as getting a Land Information Certificate, checking the survey plan, and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), and using the services of a property lawyer, goes a long way to ensuring the land you are about to buy is free from government acquisition in Lagos.

Going the extra mile by seeking professional help will help minimize the risk and take some of the burden off your shoulders.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does it mean for land to be under government acquisition?

Land under government acquisition is land the government has set aside for public use. These uses include housing projects, infrastructures, hospitals, schools or other government purposes. Buying a property that falls under this category may lead to seizure even after purchase.

2. How can I verify if land is free from government acquisition in Lagos?

You can verify by conducting a Land search at the Lagos State Land Registry in Alausa Ikeja. This will reveal the status of the land, showing whether it is under government acquisition or not.

3. Can a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) guarantee that the land is free from acquisition?

Yes, a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) shows that the landowner is a private entity. This document certifies the ownership of the land and provides security against government acquisition.

Do you desire to buy land in Epe, Ibeju-Lekki or Enugu, send a WhatsApp message to +2348134794494