Good morning guys, my dad died over 16 years ago. He left behind two plots of land and sitting on it is a 4 bedroom flat which we are currently residing in and an uncompleted 2 flats (6rooms)...

The main issue now is that we can't seem to find any documents pertaining to the land, since when his sister came to clear all the paperworks and documents in his bedroom a week after his death.

So please guys, I need your advice on how to obtain the necessary documents to claim ownership of the house.

My advice to you is stemming from experience, and also from professional intellect. I’m an Attorney.

Being legitimate owners of the property, you can have a verifiable “Next of Kin” move to the Land Registry or Local Government Council office in your district, and begin paperwork for registrable documents. First of all, implore the service of a Land Surveyor to determine the extent of the property, and then file a claim for the ownership of that property. That property MUST BE REGISTERED! Take a quick step to do it now, because, according to the Registeration Act which came into force in 1986; Instruments of gifts and immovable property must be registered.

First you must show your family has possessed the land to the exclusion of any other party, without objection or consent. That you have also shown intention to possess the land (i.e. you people have fenced it in some way), and have carried out maintenance such as cutting the grasses and major renovations that could have caused your aunty to claim the property upon noticing.

Citing that you have not ever paid any rent to your aunty for the land is also a major shield.

Note that It is very important that you have met the above criteria openly, continuously and for at least the last 12 years—since you’re saying your father died over sixteen years ago, i’m guessing you must have been occupying the property within that period. That goes in your right.

If your family believes you have met the criteria, then the next step is for you people to contact a solicitor. The solicitor will ask you people to provide the Land plan that the surveyor gave to you, including photos of the boundaries, fencing and any documentation showing you have purchased and maintained the fencing and gates.

The solicitor will then prepare a “Statement of Truth” or “Statutory Declaration” that you must swear in the presence of a solicitor. This document will contain information evidencing your claim to ownership.

Once this has been finalised and sworn, your solicitor will use that document to make their application to the Land Registry. Usually, the Land Registry will then send a surveyor to inspect the land. The Land Registry will consider the application and then revert to your solicitor if they have any queries or further requirements.

Let me advice you to note that Notices will usually be sent to the owners of neighbouring land or anyone else the Land Registry may believe have rights over that land you people are claiming (i.e. a right of way) informing them of your claim over it. The owners will be invited to object if they feel they have just cause and they will be given an expiration date for their objection to be lodged.

If nobody comes forward with a contradictory claim, and if the application is successful, the Land Registry will award you people with a “Possessory” title and provide you with official title entries documenting your ownership.

To be honest, you don’t really have much issues to worry about. As any new documents you register after proving these, would foreshadow whatever claims she has, that arises later on.

You can contact me if you need intensive opinion on this. My number is on a thread I created. Just trying to limit space here. I wish you good-luck.

Okay

Pls get a lawyer. I think they are the only ones who can deal with this.

Him no write will?

Kidnap that sister and collect your paper works,,those sisters and uncles are useless,

Njjj

Wahala for we wey have nothing to inherit from our parents except Goodwill o

Go to ministry of land and survey Alausa

The same way your Aunty cleared the documents from your father's room
Go and clear it from your Aunty's room, unless it has been destroyed

16 years no issues with anyone' means the property is yours just look for documents

obviously u will need an attorney nah

Thegracefulness:
My advice to you is stemming from several years of experience, and also from professional intellect. I’m an attorney.

Your advice is Or he's got to pay you for it?

Your mom should answer that question. Except if
you have something that no one else has

Those LLB and LLM guys will fix it. Sharperly proceed to one of their offices.

Ministry of land and survey sharp sharp plus one good property lawyer... Or else kiss those properties goodbye

Father4all:
Go to ministry of land and survey Alausa

Alausa handles only Lagos issues. Nigeria doesn't start and end in Lagos.

CyborgZZZ:
Good morning guys, my dad died over 16 years ago. He left behind two plots of land and sitting on it is a 4 bedroom flat which we are currently residing in and an uncompleted 2 flats (6rooms)...

The main issue now is that we can't seem to find any documents pertaining to the land, since when his sister came to clear all the paperworks and documents in his bedroom a week after his death.

So please guys, I need your advice on how to obtain the necessary documents to claim ownership of the house.

You should not have let the bolded happen. I'm not a lawyer -- so take my words with a grain of salt -- but it does seem like it'll be a troublesome venture; not only because your dad died so long ago, but also because you aren't with the original documents.

When my dad passed away, relatives, including those we didn't even know of, were rushing to visit, but we had long since put away all my late dad's documents.

Una too slow .the dad I lost my father the next morning me and my brother cleared all documents of all properties before family come.

Last last una loose guard

CyborgZZZ:
Good morning guys, my dad died over 16 years ago. He left behind two plots of land and sitting on it is a 4 bedroom flat which we are currently residing in and an uncompleted 2 flats (6rooms)...

The main issue now is that we can't seem to find any documents pertaining to the land, since when his sister came to clear all the paperworks and documents in his bedroom a week after his death.

So please guys, I need your advice on how to obtain the necessary documents to claim ownership of the house.

HOME STARS ESTATE ALONG AIRPORT ROAD ABUJA NOW SELLING. 4M MY FOR FULLY DETACHED AND 3M FOR SEMI-DETACHEDINNER. PAY INTALLMENTALLY. 07060523927

16 yrs and no legal tussle means d property is all urs. Savour it

Be fasr

cletz991:
Una too slow .the dad I lost my father the next morning me and my brother cleared all documents of all properties before family come.

Last last una loose guard

You no even wait make you mourn finish, you don clear documents
You must be an Igbo man

From your explanation you have been staying there since the past 16 years, has your auntie made any covetous attempt on the property?
Do you have any misunderstanding with her?
If the answers to the above is in negative, there might be no need to panic.
Do not show your fear because dogs have an inherent tendency of chasing fleeing targets. This is also true of people. Anyone you are afraid of is also secretly afraid of you.
Approach your auntie respectfully for those papers. You may tell her you needed it for a back up for a loan or visa application.
See her response as that will determine your next step.
I will advise you record electronically her response.
Thanks. I am not a lawyer though

Nairalandian:

You no even wait make you mourn finish, you don clear documents
You must be an Igbo man

See this one.

It's not about tradition. Some relatives even begin making moves when they think one's dad may not survive a sickness.

If you don't move fast, they'll clear everything, clean mouth, and leave hunger for one's family.

Yes bro ...family matter get as e be o....yes I am Delta ibo

Nairalandian:

You no even wait make you mourn finish, you don clear documents
You must be an Igbo man

cletz991:
Una too slow .the dad I lost my father the next morning me and my brother cleared all documents of all properties before family come.

Last last una loose guard

Smart move. Many of those showing fake love at that point probably have an ulterior motive

CyborgZZZ:
Good morning guys, my dad died over 16 years ago. He left behind two plots of land and sitting on it is a 4 bedroom flat which we are currently residing in and an uncompleted 2 flats (6rooms)...

The main issue now is that we can't seem to find any documents pertaining to the land, since when his sister came to clear all the paperworks and documents in his bedroom a week after his death.

So please guys, I need your advice on how to obtain the necessary documents to claim ownership of the house.

How are you?

How good is the relationship between you and the said aunty?

What steps did you mother take to recover the said document?

Is anyone presently trespassing or disturbing your peaceful and quiet enjoyment?

Do you have money to do land matter?

It could be damn expensive. Especially in this instance that you do not have access to the title document.

The reason I asked is because I don't want you to end up disturbing a sleeping viper or looking for what is not looking for you.

Before you take any advice, sit and count the cost.

My simple advice