Reps to engage forensic experts over land ownership in FCT

The House of Representatives on Tuesday said it plans to engage forensic experts to determine the real owners of plots of land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This action follows reports of dubious land dealings and illegal activities of land speculators in the FCT.

The House ad hoc committee probing allegations of unwholesome land sales in the FCT made this known yesterday, at the commencement of an investigative hearing to establish the authenticity of land owners in Abuja.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Representative Gaza Jonathan Gbwefi, who disclosed this expressed concern over rising cases of illegal sale of land by estate developers and fake land dealers to unsuspecting buyers in the FCT.

He stated that the development was worrisome hence the House is investigating the unwholesome practices in order to put an end to the trend.

Rep. Gbwefi argued that one way to solve the challenge was to engage the services of forensic experts to ascertain the true owners of lands in the territory.

According to him, the unscrupulous estate developers have continued with their nefarious activities in spite of series of court orders.

He disclosed that for example, there was a court injunction in Abuja, stopping a developer from the further sale of houses to unsuspected citizens which was not obeyed.

The chairman maintained however that the National Assembly was not going to condone the continued illegality and pledged that it would do a thorough job to end land racketeering and other illegal practices in the FCT.