The Edo State Government has issued a forceful denial of what it labels “deliberately mischievous and criminal” reports claiming a 17-year-old boy purchased 14 hectares of land and applied for a Certificate of Occupancy.
The story, which alleged the teen’s application was rejected by Governor Monday Okpebholo, has been refuted by the Edo Geographic Information Service (Edo GIS). Officials state the entire claim is not only false but technically impossible.
In a statement, Tunde Egbiremonlen, Director of Press for Edo GIS, dismantled the report. “In the first place, a 17-year-old cannot apply for registration of land in Edo state because that age bracket is assumed to be a minor,” Egbiremonlen said. “The Edo GIS system will automatically reject the application.”
He further questioned the logic of the rumour, pointing out that the peddlers of the story failed to specify a crucial detail: “They did not explain where in Edo state such 14 hectares were purchased by the minor.”
The government’s investigation concluded the report was a malicious fabrication, created with the “intent to cause disaffection.” The statement took an even stronger tone, alleging that sponsors paid “so much money for the fake news to be circulated,” labelling the act “intentional criminal.”
The public is now being urged to disregard the claims entirely, with the government asserting that “some persons are bent on achieving their evil agenda of blackmailing the government.” The incident highlights the ongoing challenge authorities face in combating targeted disinformation campaigns.
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