If you wish to buy land in Abuja, one of the things you must check is if it’s free from government acquisition.
This is essential for avoiding legal complications and costs from buying land the government intends to use.
Therefore, to ensure that the government does not demolish your properties, this article discusses how you can know if a land is free from government acquisition in Abuja.
What is Land Acquisition?
Land acquisition is the process through which an individual, organization, or government acquires land for various purposes. It involves the transfer of land ownership from private owners or entities to the government or another party with the authority to acquire the land.
Under the Land Use Act 1978, the power of compulsory land acquisition is granted to the government, This compulsory land acquisition can be for the purpose of urban development, mining and quarrying, or public purposes, including road, bridge, school, or hospital construction.
When is a Land under Government Acquisition?
A piece of land is under government acquisition when the government has expressed intention to take ownership of the land for any purpose.
According to the Land Use Act, all lands belong to the state government. This means the government can take possession of any land at any time. However, the landowner will get due compensation if it’s duly acquired.
That’s why it’s important to do your due diligence to ensure the land you’re purchasing is free from government acquisition.
How to Know if a Land is Free from Government Acquisition in Abuja
Here are a few steps you can check if a piece of land is free from government acquisition:
Check Land Title Documents
One of the fastest and most efficient ways to know if a piece of land is free from government acquisition is to check the land title documents. These documents provide valuable information you need to know about the land seller and, of course, the land status.
Land title documents also help you know if the land is an area already marked out for government projects. This is essential because it saves you the time and resources you could have wasted on a land the government has acquired or plans to acquire in the coming years.
Some important land title documents you should examine are the certificate of occupancy (C of O), the governor’s consent (GC), and the official land survey document.
Survey and Physical Inspection
After you’ve examined the land title documents, the next thing is to verify their authenticity by conducting a physical inspection. This helps you to know if the land exists and the conditions surrounding it.
Also, if a land has encumbrances or liens, this is the time for you to find out. If the area has been marked out for construction by the government, you can find out from the locals when you go for an inspection.
Besides checking if the land is under government acquisition, land inspection is an opportunity for you to know if the information provided in the land documents checks out.
Also Read:
- 10 Real Estate Mistakes You Must Not Make in FCT, Abuja
- How to Gеt Your Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in Abuja
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions By First-Time Property Buyers in Abuja
Visit the AGIS
The Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) is the body in charge of land registry and administration in the capital of Nigeria.
Visit the AGIS office to inquire about the land status. At the AGIS office, you can also get information regarding the government acquisition of the land you want to buy.
While Abuja is the federal capital territory and not a state, land administration is the same like in other states. This means that the FCT authority is the ultimate owner of all lands in Abuja. The FCT is in charge of ownership transfer of all lands in Abuja.
Apply for Land Status Verification
You can get some information by visiting the AGIS. But to get the full information on the land status, you must apply directly to them.
With the survey plan, a valid identification card, and the required legal fees, a surveyor or legal real estate professional can help you apply to the Director of Lands Administration.
The fees for any legal search on a piece of land in Abuja depend on the purpose of the search. The fee is ₦10,000 for residential purposes. For commercial purposes, you’ll pay ₦20,000 before an AGIS staff member will attend to you.
What are the Common Statuses a Land Can Bear in Abuja?
Once the result of your land search comes out, you should expect one of these statuses on the document:
Committed Government Acquisition
This status indicates the government has acquired the land and has clear intentions to use it for specific purposes.
Buying a committed government land in Abuja is a bad investment. This is because the government can take possession of it anytime without compensating for your losses.
Uncommitted Government Acquisition
Lands with an uncommitted government acquisition status are government lands for which they have no current intention to use.
The risk of buying or investing in such lands is not as high as those on committed government lands. However, you must stay vigilant as the land status may change anytime.
Therefore, before you invest in any land with an uncommitted government acquisition status, you must ensure it’s regularized to avoid legal complications, fines, or the risk of having structures demolished for non-compliance.
Free from Government Acquisition
A land free from government acquisition in Abuja is not currently under government control. It is neither earmarked for any public project or government development.
This is the best type of land to buy or invest in. The reason is simple. There’s no risk of the government taking it from you without compensation. However, you must also do due diligence to ensure a smooth and secure transaction process. Due diligence is important to avoid falling into hands of land scammers in Abuja.
What is the Right to Compulsory Acquisition of Property?
The right to compulsory property acquisition is the legal authority a government has to acquire private property for public purposes, even against the owner’s will.
This when the government wants to construct or expand a road, build a hospital, or any other public facility.
The good thing is there’s always due compensation for those whose land is free from government acquisition. Those with regularized uncommitted government properties also get due compensation.
Also Read:
- What You Nееd to Know about Contract of Salе in Abuja
- Evеrything You Nееd to Know about Propеrty Laws in Abuja
- 7 Factors to Consider When Buying Commercial Land for Sale in Nigeria
Conclusion
Knowing the status of a piece of land will save you from unnecessary stress, expenses, and legal complications. That way, you’ll only buy or invest in land in Abuja that’s free from government acquisition.
Hopefully, this article has given you insights on how to determine the legitimate status of a piece of land in Abuja. It’s important you know this before making a purchase.
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