The Lagos State Gov., Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Wednesday, cautioned residents to desist from giving false information while processing land documents.
Fashola gave the warning in a news release signed by Mrs Bola Akingbade, spokesperson, Ministry of Justice which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
The release said that the governor gave the warning shortly after attending a stakeholders meeting on Land Use Act organised by the ministry recently.
The governor said that electronic documentation of land titles, which was one of the reforms of his administration, was being frustrated by the falsification of land documents.
“Lagos State wants to make land documentation better and improve services but we will not process false documents.
“Many people apply for documents with false information and we must put an end to this,’’ he said.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, explained that falsification of land documents was a criminal offence.
Ipaye, who spoke with NAN in an interview added: “it is an offence to forge documents and it is punishable under Section 363 of Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
“It is criminal to supply false information to public officials with intent to deceive, and is punishable under Section 96 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011,’’ Ipaye said.
He said that persons whose land were vested before the commencements of the Act were deemed to be holders of a right of occupancy granted by the governor.
On his part, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, said the new act would put an end to racketeering, back dating and forging of land documents by applicants. (NAN)