Emmalix Trade and Investment Limited is also actively involved in real estate development — providing secure, affordable, and well-documented lands and housing solutions. Through strategic partnerships with families and traditional institutions, the company has helped many Nigerians, both home and abroad, acquire genuine properties without fear of fraud or disputes. In this interview, Engr. Emmanuel Oshia, the Chairman of Emmalix Trade and Investment Limited and the current Chairman of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Oshimili North Chapter, Speaking in an exclusive interview with Newsbreeze crew in Igbuzo,the REDAN Chairman lamented that fraudulent land sales have become rampant, with unsuspecting buyers losing huge sums of money to impostors and unregistered agents who parade themselves as genuine landowners. Hear him:
Can we meet you sir?
My name is Onowu(Engr.)Emma Oshia, the Chairman /Managing Director of Emmalix Trade and Investment Limited and also the Chairman of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Oshimili North Chapter.
Sir, Can we take a look back in the then days when real estate business appears unknown. Why has it become something of importance in the present time?
During those days if you say Real Estate business is unknown, it not unknown with our fore fathers because they engage in trade by barter and the value in terms of monetary value was low. That is why you hear them saying this family own this land, the other family owns that land. Some probably give you a goat and take a land. Land has been in that system that time and its valuable within their ambits but in the present time we gave it a more advanced face lift.
Your company Emmalix Trade and Investment Limited has been around for a long time, tell us how it came into being?
I was in Lagos back in the days and was into freight Forwarding (Clearing Agency). There was this Affiliate school that came from Ghana to Lagos State University (LASU) and we were interested. In the school I saw various Courses in Transport and other disciplines. So, I chose Real Estate and studied for three (3) years before the whole thing stopped and the school was di-affiliated from LASU and they left Nigeria. But within that three years I was able to acquire little knowledge on Real Estate. When Clearing became unprofitable to me I said let me change job environment. And if I want to go into Real Estate, I can as well do it in Lagos but I said let me go to Delta State which was a new area as at that time. Let me start from my place and expand to other areas. At some point I thought of going to Osogbo in Osun State but communication in their local language would pose a challenge to me. So, I decided to go back to my place. When I came back I joined some few guys around then in Asaba and observed and studied the level they were operating. The essence of joining them was to understudy what was practically obtainable in the real Estate business. I got their ideas added to the one I studied in Lagos. That’s how I came up with something like this.
Chairman,there have been rising concerns over land disputes, multiple sales, and fraud in Igbuzo land sales. As the Chairman of the real estate body, how would you assess the situation?
Yes, it is true that the issue of distrust and fraud in land transactions has become a major concern in Igbuzo and Oshimili North Local Government Area. Many families and individuals have fallen victim to multiple sales and fake documentation. These challenges arise mainly from lack of proper verification, unregistered agents, and the activities of land speculators who are not members of the association.
The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) in Oshimili North has commenced the compilation of a verified register of all legitimate agents operating within the community. He added that the association is collaborating with traditional institutions, community leaders, and the local government to ensure that all land transactions go through the proper verification channels.
“Any agent or developer not recognized by the association will be reported to the appropriate authorities, “We are determined to bring order and credibility back into land transactions.”
We advised prospective land buyers to exercise due diligence before making any payments, stressing that they should verify ownership with the rightful family, community authority, or the association. He also recommended that survey plans and land documents be authenticated by the Ministry of Lands or the Surveyor-General’s office to prevent future disputes.
How does Estate Developers solve the problems of multiple selling of lands?
We don’t engage in that at all. Doing that automatically makes you a fraudster. It is a fraudulent act. But when it involves maybe two individuals and issues of such arise, that can be resolved. But selling one plot of land to so many persons is a fraudulent practice and we don’t do that in our organization. It is one of the things I preach against when we go for Developers meetings, don’t sell and re-sell. It’s not good for the business and not good for you as a person for the sake of integrity.
You have established an integrity within the Real Estate Developers forum, looking at it at the present time, how do you see that sector contributing to the growth of the economy of the country in 10years time?
Like me, I pay my tax and if others do same there would be increase in revenue accruing to the government. On the area of empowerment, my organization has close to 40 youths working here, if Estate Developers engages 40 each, the rate of crime and other vices would reduce and the youth would be able to sort one or two things around him at home thereby staying away from crime and contributing positively to the growth of the economy.
Do you protect your clients when they buy land from you in time of developing the land and the rest?
That’s what we do and that’s the reason why we have to go deep to know the families that own the land. And when one or two persons come up you would be able to say ‘I don’t know you, I know this one. These are the people that signed for me. Where are you coming from? Depending on the angle the person is coming from, then, we would know how to handle his matter. For example, when I bought some lands around Admiralty University and the government encroached into my land, I had to go back to the family I bought the land from and asked if they have alternative place to give to my clients who also bought from me? And they said yes. Which they gave us. These are some of the ways you protect your clients from loss because they are my clients. If you don’t protect them who else will protect them?
What efforts is your association making to curb these fraudulent activities?
We are working with family heads to educate them on proper documentation and transparent processes,“When land issues are handled dishonestly, it damages Igbuzo’s reputation and discourages investors. We want to make sure that Igbuzo and Oshimili North LGA remains a peaceful and hospitable town for genuine investors and residents, emphasizing that the association’s long-term goal is to build a transparent and well-regulated real estate system that supports sustainable development.
“Our vision is to attract credible investors who will develop housing estates, schools, and commercial structures that will transform Igbuzo,” he said. “With unity and sincerity, we can make land a blessing, not a source of conflict.”
We just attracted a real Estate developing company from New York,United States of America, my company(Emmalix Trade and Investment Limited),Delta Development Property Agency(DDPA) are partnering with this America company to develop a satellite town and low cost housing estate for civil servants in Ibusa and Sapele, we are commencing this project by next month with the first phrase starting in Igbuzo.
Chairman Sir, Many buyers complain that they are often deceived with fake documents. What advice do you have for prospective land buyers?
Buyers should never make payments without due diligence. They should always verify the ownership of the land with the rightful family or community authority. We encourage people to consult our association for verification before any transaction. We also advise that survey plans and land documents be authenticated by the Ministry of Lands or the Surveyor-General’s office to avoid future disputes.
Are there disciplinary measures for erring agents or developers who engage in fraudulent practices?
Absolutely. Our association has a disciplinary committee that investigates complaints. Any member found guilty of misconduct faces suspension or expulsion, and we cooperate with law enforcement agencies for prosecution where necessary. We are determined to sanitize the system and restore public confidence.
Some community members believe that families selling ancestral lands contribute to the problem. What’s your take on this?
That’s a valid point. In some cases, family disputes and greed lead to multiple sales of the same land. We are working with family heads to educate them on proper documentation and transparent processes. The community must understand that when land issues are handled dishonestly, it damages Igbuzo’s reputation and discourages investors in Oshimili North.
What message do you have for the people of Igbuzo and those intending to buy land in the town?
I want to assure everyone that Igbuzo and Oshimili North Local Government Area remains a peaceful and welcoming community for genuine investors and residents. We are working hard to ensure transparency in all land transactions. My advice is simple: do not patronize unregistered agents, verify every document, and always transact through credible channels.
Finally, what is your association’s long-term vision for land administration and real estate development in Oshimili North?
Our goal is to build a transparent and well-regulated real estate system that supports growth and development. We want to attract investors who will develop housing estates, schools, and commercial structures that will transform Igbuzo. With unity and sincerity, we can make land a blessing — not a source of conflict — in our community. I want to see more developments in my local government Area.
Thank you, Chairman, for your time and for shedding light on these critical issues.
Chairman: Thank you. It’s my pleasure.