5 Invalid Land Titles to Avoid in Ibusa for Safe Transactions

Becoming a land owner in Ibusa is a rewarding venture since it is a growing community very close to Asaba, the state capital. Though rewarding, it can be a huge dilemma if you fall victim to land fraud in Ibusa due to the possession of invalid land titles. You don’t want to be among the victims who have lost their money to this act.

Note that the acquisition of land is as important as the documents that are associated with it.

Knowing the kinds of invalid titles will arm you in identifying them and prevent you from becoming a victim.

Follow through for the unveiling of these titles. But then, the question is:

What is a Land Title?

A land title is a document that proves the real ownership of a landed property. This document includes the name of the owner, a description of the property, and information on any government encumbrances. Also, it shows the history of past ownership and any restrictions.

The validity of a land title like C of O is 99 years, after which the title can be renewed by the owner.

The proper documentation of land titles at the Delta State Land Registry is important for the validation of land transactions, loan collection, or dispute resolution. Take a quick look at all the land titles in Nigeria.

Purpose of a Land Title

The land title grants the possessor exclusive rights of ownership of the land.
It gives the owner the freedom to develop the land.
Land title protects the owner against legal issues and trespassers.
It shows the boundaries and rights of the landowners.

Land Ownership in Ibusa

It is important to understand that land in Ibusa follows a customary land tenure system, even though it is subject to the Land Use Act of 1978 which centralises land ownership under state governments. In Ibusa, land may be owned by:

Families – this is where ancestral lands come in.
Community (purchase of this land is tiring).
An individual
The government.

To transact safely in Ibusa, you must be aware of these 5 invalid land titles.

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5 Invalid Land Titles You Should in Ibusa

1. Contract of sale

This is a legal agreement between a buyer and a seller that definitively states the terms of a land sale. It is a binding contract, thus it can be enforced by law. It shows the parties’ willingness to acquire the land.

The contract of sale is issued when the parties have agreed on the price, size and payment terms of the land. It is usually prepared by the vendor’s solicitor. The following pieces of information are included in the contract of sale:

Both parties’ names and contact information
The address of the land
The price of the land
A description of the land
The date of transfer
The obligations of each party
When each party’s obligation should be met.

2. Payment receipt

This is a document that acknowledges the payment made for a piece of land. It is issued by the seller to the buyer. It is issued to the buyer regardless of the payment made, either in full or not, and it must be signed by the seller.

In times past, a witness suffices for the transfer of land ownership. But now, a receipt is what is required to show the purchase of the land.

The following must be contained in the payment receipt:

The full name of the vendor
Address of the vendor
The full name of the buyer
Address of the buyer.
Full description of the land
Amount paid; either full or part payment
The date of the payment
Signatures of the buyer.

3. Family receipt or agreement

This is a document that shows that payment was made by the seller of a family-owned property. It can be used as evidence of payment in the event of any dispute. However, it is not a legal document that grants you ownership of the land that you paid for.

Note: A receipt is not paid for by the buyer, it is an obligation that the seller owes the buyer.

Conditions for a Family Receipt or Agreement

The receipt must be headed with the family name.
The head of the family must sign on the receipt.
At least, two other members should also sign

4. Power of Attorney (POA) without a supporting survey or deed of assignment

A power of attorney is a document that gives the right of land sale to another person. In this case, the person could be an agent, a manager or a lawyer of the actual owner of the land. With this, the agent, manager or lawyer sells the land on behalf of the owner.

The parties in a power of attorney are known as the Donor or Principal (the party who donates power to another; that is the owner of the land), and the donee (the party who power is donated to, that is the agent, etc.).

The power of attorney can only be granted to those that can sue, and be sued. It is not sued or prepared in the name of the donee but in the name of the donor.

Furthermore, it does not transfer the land from the donor to the donee, it only gives the donee the right to make a sales decision.

Like others, this should not be accepted as a land document without a corresponding registered land survey or deed of assignment. Buying land from a donee without these documents will put you at risk of falling for a scam.

5. Excision in process

First of all, let’s look at land excision. Land excision is a process whereby the government releases portions of land back to its original owners. It restores the rights of the original landowners to them; allowing them to use the land as they deem fit.

Now, let’s proceed to the excision in the process. Excision in Process means that land is currently under the process of being released back to the original owner by the government. This means that the legal process has not been completed and the land is not yet owned by the individual, family or community.

You should note the following:

Excision in Process is a 50-50 chance. It may be successful or otherwise.
The total area applied for may not be approved for excision. Imagine buying the portion that wasn’t approved.
Developments are not allowed on a land whose excision is in process.
The government does not give a copy of the survey for excision in process land.
Without a doubt, purchasing land whose excision is in process is like making an online purchase that may or not be delivered.

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Conclusion

These five land titles may show that you have purchased land in the developing Ibusa, however, they are not legal documents that show your ownership of the land and that’s why we regard them as invalid land titles. This means that you can still forfeit a portion of the land that you bought, even with the possession of these land titles.

These legal documents amongst others give you ownership of the land that you bought: deed of assignment, registered survey plan, certificate of occupancy, etc.

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