Concerns have been raised by Eze Cyril Ogbenna, the traditional ruler of the Uzi-Amizi autonomous community in Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, regarding the surge in fraudulent activities of fake property agents posing as legitimate landowners to deceive potential buyers.
Speaking to reporters in his palace, the monarch highlighted how this disturbing trend has been causing unrest in his community.
Describing his palace as now resembling a customary court, Eze Ogbenna revealed that individuals whose lands were illegally sold are coming forward to report their grievances.
He expressed his dismay, stating, “The rampant sale of land without the consent or knowledge of the rightful owners is on the rise, with buyers failing to conduct due diligence on the land and property they are investing millions in through these purported agents.”
Eze Ogbenna decried the activities of criminals masquerading as property agents, engaging in the illicit sale and resale of people’s land parcels without the authorization of the true owners.
He urged the Abia State Ministry of Lands and Housing and the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, UCDA, to address the situation by implementing measures to register all property agents operating in the state and to identify and remove the fraudulent elements among them.