Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has ordered an immediate, temporary suspension of all land title approvals across the state following the astonishing revelation that a 17-year-old boy allegedly completed a full cash purchase of a colossal 14,000 hectares of land.

The Governor has initiated a high-level investigation into the matter, demanding clarity on the minor’s financial wherewithal to complete such a massive transaction.

Governor Okpebholo disclosed the startling development during an interaction with members of the Shift Najia Initiative, a non-governmental organization, in Benin City on Tuesday.

He expressed profound concern that the sheer size of the land—approximately 34,594 acres—coupled with the purchaser’s age, raises serious red flags regarding the possibility of illicit funding and potential money laundering.

“The inquiry is currently underway to ascertain the source of income of the person in possession of the land to be able to acquire such a vast expanse of territory,” Governor Okpebholo stated, underscoring his administration’s steadfast dedication to establishing transparency in land management.

The suspicious nature of the deal—reportedly paid for entirely upfront, without any financing or staggered payments—has prompted the administration to put a moratorium on the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).

This state-wide freeze is intended to allow authorities time to meticulously review existing land transactions and safeguard against fraudulent activities.

Governor Okpebholo specifically pointed to the buyer’s tender age and the unprecedented scale of the land acquisition as highly irregular. This monumental purchase is now being scrutinized for compliance with strict financial regulations governing large transactions, particularly those involving minors.

The Edo State Ministry of Lands and Surveys is spearheading the probe, working in concert with national financial intelligence units to track the complex payment trail.

Legal experts suggest the case could potentially fall under the purview of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, which mandates the reporting of transactions exceeding N5 million, especially when minors are involved.

This decisive action aligns with Governor Okpebholo’s ongoing commitment to comprehensive land governance reforms. His administration has recently vowed to compensate victims of alleged illegal land grabs from the preceding administration and has established commissions to look into protracted community land disputes.

“We simply cannot permit land, which is a fundamental asset for the prosperity of our citizens, to be compromised through questionable methods,” the Governor asserted during the session.

Civil society groups, including the Shift Najia Initiative, have publicly commended the Governor’s immediate and rigorous intervention, urging rapid conclusion of the investigation to decisively deter land grabbing and ensure equitable access to essential resources across the state.