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The Edo Geographic Information Systems (Edo GIS) has refuted a viral report claiming that Governor Monday Okpebholo rejected an application for a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) allegedly submitted by a 17-year-old boy who was said to have purchased 14 hectares of land in Edo State.
In a detailed press statement issued by the Director of Press, Tunde Egbiremonlen, the agency dismissed the story as “deliberately mischievous, fabricated, and criminal in intent,” asserting that no such record exists in the Edo GIS system.
“In the first place, a 17-year-old cannot apply for registration of land in Edo State because that age bracket is assumed to be a minor; the Edo GIS system will automatically reject the application,” Egbiremonlen noted.
He further stated that the promoters of the story failed to provide any verifiable detail regarding the alleged land transaction, including the location of the 14 hectares in question or proof of ownership.
According to him, “the report was deliberately planted to cause confusion, mislead the public, and malign the state government.”
The controversy began after several online platforms and social media influencers circulated a sensational report alleging that Governor Okpebholo had personally rejected a land registration application submitted by a 17-year-old entrepreneur.
The report, which quickly gained traction on social media after being amplified by aides to Governor Okpebholo and supporters of the administration, including Lindaliu Omonzele, a board member of the State Oil and Gas Development Commission, and Gift Ajayi, a known supporter of the government, claimed that the teenager had lawfully acquired 14 hectares of land but was denied a Certificate of Occupancy by the state government on account of age discrimination.
The story triggered a wave of reactions across social media, with commentators questioning the government’s fairness and inclusiveness. However, closer scrutiny revealed several inconsistencies, including conflicting claims about the location, value, and even the size of the land.
In its statement, Edo GIS emphasized that land transactions in the state follow a transparent, technology-driven process that makes it impossible to manipulate or falsify records.
The agency explained that the digital system automatically flags invalid applications, including those from minors, as part of measures to curb fraud and illegal land sales.
“We have investigated this matter thoroughly and found it to be baseless. There is no such application, no such land, and no such minor in our records,” Egbiremonlen added.
He described the fake report as the handiwork of “political detractors desperate to distract the government and blackmail public officials,” warning that the agency would take legal action against those found culpable in spreading falsehoods.
Edo GIS urged members of the public to disregard the viral report and verify any information regarding land administration through official government channels.
The agency reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process in the management of land resources across the state.
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