Can a Registered Company Still Sell Problem Land?

Yes. A registered company can still sell problem land. This truth is uncomfortable, but it is necessary — especially in a real estate market where many buyers equate company registration with safety.

In Nigeria, registering a company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) only confirms that the business legally exists. It does not mean the company has verified ownership of every property it sells. It does not confirm that the land is free from government acquisition, family disputes, or competing claims. And it does not protect buyers from loss.

This is where many people get it wrong.

A real estate company can be fully registered and still sell land that:

• Is under government acquisition

• Has unresolved family or communal disputes

• Has been sold to multiple buyers

• Has incomplete or defective documentation

• Cannot legally receive Governor’s Consent

• Is zoned for a different purpose than advertised

None of these issues are automatically checked by CAC.

What often happens is this: a company acquires land based on surface-level assurances. They may rely on verbal confirmation from families, local chiefs, or third parties. Sometimes, they rush to resell without conducting deep verification because the pressure to sell is high. When problems later emerge, buyers are left to fight alone.

Another misconception is that branding equals credibility. A company can have a polished website, active social media presence, influencers promoting it, and even satisfied past clients — and still sell a problematic property. One clean transaction does not guarantee the next one is safe.

In many real cases, when issues arise, the company’s response becomes revealing. Some disappear. Some deny responsibility. Some shift blame to buyers. Others claim the problem “just surfaced,” even though proper due diligence would have uncovered it earlier.

This is why smart buyers don’t just ask, “Is the company registered?”
They ask:

• How was this land acquired?

• Who was the original owner?

• Has government interest been formally checked?

• Can this land receive consent?

• What happens if a dispute arises after purchase?

A trustworthy real estate company does more than sell. It documents, verifies, discloses, and stands accountable. They are transparent about risks, not silent about them.

Company registration is a starting point — not a guarantee. In real estate, safety is built on verification, documentation, and accountability, not assumptions.

Landdiaries Properties believe buyers deserve clarity before commitment. That’s why verification comes before marketing, and due diligence comes before payment. Because owning land should bring peace — not legal battles.