Institutional corruption in Nigeria was not simply seen in 2016 as being of a fantastic nature by a British Prime Minister, David Cameron, but also promoted incurably to the delight of notable Nigerian leaders. Corruption, which, as noted by Professor J.S Cookey, began in 1967 (vide his 1987 Political Bureau’s Report), is condoned as normal.
It is quite interesting to note that The Nation newspaper has drawn the attention of the Inspector General of Police by way of petition to the matter. What appears to be more interesting is the attitude of the Federal Government towards the issue of land and housing.
Consequently, The Nation newspaper petition raises more fundamental questions about the very criminally disposition of the Government of Nigeria that has the responsibility to secure life and property. People often try to get justice through engagements in acts of corruption.
Law and Governmental Crimes
Land ownership and administration in the post-independence era in Nigeria is governed by the Land Use Act of 1978. Before then, there had been different legislations from which the 1978 Land Use Act has borrowed in one way or the other.
It is against this background of the 1978 Land Use Act that the petition of the The Nation newspaper to the Inspector General of Police should be explicated and understood.
The 1978 Land Use Act vests all land in any State in the legitimate governor of each State. The Governor holds the land in trust for the people and only grants individuals or corporations the rights of occupancy. The rights of occupancy does not confer the right of full ownership.
Regardless of the manner of acquiring a land – act of donation, deed of legal mortgage, traditional proof, survey plan, etc.
Our observation is that Government has been generally most unfair to very honest and patriotic Nigerians in the matter of land and housing allocation.
Government takes deposits from Nigerians for houses that will not be built and allocated and yet Government will be allocating houses to sportsmen for winning games, purportedly for doing Nigeria a great honour.
