Stories of double sale and “Omo Onile” drama keep surfacing. If you bought land recently, what verification steps saved you stress?
From survey plan and coordinates to charting at the Surveyor-General’s office, which steps are absolutely non-negotiable? Please include timelines and realistic costs.
Checklist that saves headaches: Start with the survey plan — verify coordinates at the Surveyor-General’s office and ensure the parcel is free from government acquisition. Run a charting report. Next, conduct a search at the Lands Registry for title (C of O, Deed of Assignment, Governor’s Consent). Demand the seller’s chain of title and compare signatures across documents. Meet community executives if it is family land; insist on a family resolution and photograph signatories.
On payment: Use escrow or a lawyer’s client account with a clear completion checklist (signed Deed, executed survey, possession letter, indemnity). Do not pay development/community fees until your title work clears. Finally, take physical possession fast: beacon the plot, fence a visible section, and place a signboard. Document the handover with date-stamped photos and neighbor witnesses. Cheap today can be expensive tomorrow; pay for professional survey and legal work.
