The Surveyor General of the Federation, Abuduganiyu Adebomehin, has strongly refuted recent media reports claiming that his office sold plots of land worth N16 billion in Lagos State.
Addressing the issue in Abuja, Adebomehin clarified that the false claims, which had previously circulated in 2022, resurfaced this year in an apparent attempt to tarnish his reputation and discredit the office. He emphasized that in 2023, the matter was taken to court, and following a thorough investigation, his office was exonerated.
Adebomehin explained that the Surveyor General’s office has no authority to sell government land, pointing out that the Presidential Committee and the Land Use Allocation Committee are responsible for such matters. “We have no right or authority to offer government property for sale. The Land Use Allocation Committee oversees this,” he stated.
Despite overseeing the largest land matters in the country, Adebomehin mentioned that his office is dealing with encroachment issues on federal land in several states, including Kwara, Imo, and Kano. He reiterated that his office does not sell government land, as it does not fall within its mandate.
He also highlighted the advancements made by the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGoF) in geospatial data and technology. This includes ongoing staff training and capacity-building efforts in data management.
Adebomehin also expressed regret that the OSGoF was not involved in the Green Wall program, a project designed to combat desertification. He recalled that years ago, his office offered advice regarding the Chad Basin area, which was not taken seriously at the time, leading to significant losses for families in the region due to environmental degradation.
The investigation into the land sale allegations is still ongoing, and Adebomehin assured that his office will continue to cooperate fully to clear any doubts regarding the matter.
