March 16, (THEWILL) — The Imo State Government has issued a public notice warning individuals and land speculators to stop the illegal sale and encroachment on government-owned land at Redemption Estate in Avu, located in Owerri West Local Government Area of the State.
In a statement released by the Office of the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, the government said it had received credible reports that some persons were illegally selling and allocating government lands in Redemption Estate Phases 1, 2, and 3 while falsely claiming to be acting under the authority of the Imo State Housing Corporation.
The notice, signed by Special Adviser on Monitoring and Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, stressed that the state government had not granted any approval, authorisation, or directive for the sale or allocation of land in the estate.
According to the government, all such transactions are illegal, null and void, and constitute a violation of provisions of the Land Use Act 1978, which vests ownership and control of land in the governor of each state.
The government further directed all individuals who have encroached on the land or erected structures such as fences, beacons, or other forms of demarcation to vacate the premises within seven days from the date of the notice.
It warned that failure to comply would attract immediate enforcement actions by the government, including the removal of illegal fences and structures, revocation of any purported claims to the land, as well as the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in illegal land sales or encroachment.
The government also advised members of the public to refrain from purchasing land within Redemption Estate Phases 1, 2, and 3, warning that it would not be liable for any losses resulting from unlawful transactions.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting public assets, the state government said it would continue to enforce strict compliance with the Land Use Act and other relevant land administration laws in the state.
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