Yuletide: Adetayo Warns Nigerians Abroad Against Land Scammers In Ibeju-Lekki

Veteran journalist, Gbolahan Adetayo, has issued a strong warning to Nigerians in the diaspora planning to buy land in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos during the upcoming Yuletide season, cautioning them against falling for fraudulent land deals that have increasingly plagued the area.

Adetayo, speaking on the trend, noted that Ibeju-Lekki, once a quiet suburb of Lagos, has transformed into a premier real estate destination following the development of major infrastructure projects such as the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Deep Seaport, and the proposed Lekki International Airport.

LEADERSHIP reports that these multi-billion-naira investments have attracted global attention and spiked land values across the region.

However, he warned that the region’s explosive growth has also attracted a wave of scammers masquerading as legitimate real estate agents. These fraudsters, he said, prey on potential land buyers, especially those returning to Nigeria during the popular “Detty December” holiday period.

“December is here again. Some Nigerians will return happy after making smart investments, but others will end up crying foul over fraudulent deals. Shine your eyes. January is full of land scam complaints,” Adetayo said.

Reports of illegal sales, double land allocations, and harassment from “Omo Onile” syndicates have become frequent, with Nigerians abroad often falling victim due to their dependence on intermediaries.

To prevent more losses, Adetayo urged prospective buyers to deal only with reputable and verified property developers. He lauded Harmony Garden and Estate Development Ltd, led by Hon. Dr. Saheed Mosadoluwa (also known as Mr. Ibile), for its transparent operations and commitment to delivering affordable housing under the “Ibile Traditional Mortgage System,” which aims to build 10,000 homes in five years.

As gathered, Harmony Garden’s estates, including Granville Estate, Lekki Aviation Town, Majestic Bay, The Parliaments, Harmony Casa 2.0, Oju Alaro GRA, and Harmonyville Estate, are strategically located along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, an area witnessing rapid urban expansion.

Experts attribute the rising demand for Harmony Garden properties to the firm’s strategic land acquisitions near key infrastructure, which continue to elevate property values in the region.

“Harmony Garden’s integrity stands out in a market riddled with fraud. This is why I always recommend them to both diaspora investors and those buying locally,” Adetayo said.

As Nigerians gear up for holiday travel and property purchases, Adetayo’s message is clear: exercise caution, thoroughly verify all transactions, and avoid questionable agents. While the opportunities in Ibeju-Lekki are massive, so are the risks for the uninformed.

With land prices climbing month by month, the pressure to buy is increasing, but so is the room for costly mistakes. Buyers are urged to tread carefully and avoid becoming the next victims of real estate fraud.