CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS NOT THE HIGHEST LAND DOCUMENT

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS NOT THE HIGHEST LAND DOCUMENT

Many people become surprised that even with their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), another person can have a stronger legal claim to the same land.

In Nigeria, a C of O is important, but it is not the highest proof of ownership in every situation.

A person with older, properly registered documents, valid ownership history, court judgment or better legal interest may still legal defeat a C of O holder.

So legal verification and land history investigation are very important before paying for land or building.

Many buyers, including Nigerians in the diaspora, wrongly believe that once a seller has a C of O, the transaction is completely safe. That assumption is wrong.

Some people buy land under Government acquisition, others buy land already sold to another person. Some receive beautifully prepared documents that are legally useless because proper due diligence (investigation) was never conducted.

A Property Lawyer investigates ownership history, checks registration status, verifies survey, confirms Government records, detects risks, drafts documents and ensures the transaction passes the legal test.

Land fraudsters can speak confidently, produce impressive papers and create false urgency. Without proper legal guidance, many buyers walk into expensive mistakes.

Involve an experienced Property/Real Estate Lawyer early.

In legal matters, confidence is not protection; proper legal verification is.

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APEX CHAMBERS, Law Firm of Property/Real Estate and Business/Corporate/Commercial Lawyers, Attorneys, Barristers, Solicitors, Advocates and Legal Practitioners rendering legal services, Legal Consultants and Notary Public with Law Office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Phone: +234(0)7030868694 (Calls and Whatsapp)
Email: info@apexchambersglobal.com
Website: www.apexchambersglobal.com