The Lands Commission has warned prospective land buyers that building on state-owned land without authorisation could attract a jail term of up to two years, urging them to conduct thorough checks before purchasing property.
Acting Deputy Executive Secretary in charge of Operations at the Commission, Surveyor Raphael Hokey, said buyers risk losing their money and facing criminal prosecution if they acquire land from people who have no legal authority to sell it.
“Even before you buy, make sure you do the due diligence. I cannot overemphasize that word enough. Due diligence, due diligence, due diligence,” he said on the Citi Breakfast Show.
He advised prospective buyers to conduct searches at the Lands Commission, visit the land in question and engage the relevant people to establish its ownership and legal status.
Mr Hokey said some buyers discover through searches that the land they intend to purchase is either state-owned or vested land, meaning they may be dealing with the wrong person.
“If you go and buy a land which turns out to be state land, you’ll be in trouble and the money will be gone, but the land is not for you,” he warned.
He added that under Section 236, a person who unlawfully sells such land could face up to 15 years in prison or a fine if the law is enforced, while someone who builds on the land could face up to two years in prison.
The Commission’s warning comes amid concerns about land fraud and ownership disputes, which can leave unsuspecting buyers with financial losses and prolonged legal battles.
