Alleged Land Scam: PWAN refutes activist Scott Iguma’s allegations

PWAN Group, a real estate network marketing company, has refuted allegations linking it to a land scam made by activist Scott Iguma.

In a series of Instagram posts, Mr Iguma accused the company of selling receipts to customers instead of actual plots of land.

Mr Iguma began calling out PWAN on 7 May, when he disclosed in a video on his Instagram page that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) labelled the company a Ponzi scheme and warned Nigerians to avoid falling victim.

On 16 May, Mr Iguma revealed that after he took victims of PWAN and other companies (Deluxe Residences, Ochacho Real Homes, and Gtext Homes), who had alleged fraud to the EFCC, some of the companies refunded, but PWAN didn’t.

Since then, Mr Iguma has consistently called out the company on his Instagram page, exposing some of its alleged fraudulent practices.

One such case involved the failure to allocate six plots of land and a home to a young man (name withheld), despite full payment for the property since 2020.

Responding to the accusations, PWAN described the claims as baseless and misleading in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday.

Rebuttal

The company maintained that all its transactions are transparent and fully compliant with regulatory standards.

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“We wish to provide an essential update to our esteemed clients, partners, stakeholders, and the general public on the proactive measures being taken to address concerns related to land allocation.

“As a customer-centric organisation built on the pillars of trust, service, and integrity, PWAN Group remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure that every client receives full value for their investment, with timely and equitable land allocations”, the company noted.

The real estate company further noted that, in response to the allegations made by the content creator, its founder, Augustine Onwumere, released a public video statement, urging all subscribers facing allocation issues to come forward.

According to the company, this appeal underscored the group’s unwavering commitment to accountability and direct client engagement.

“PWAN Group has received over 120 formal complaints, each diligently reviewed and processed by our internal resolution task force. As of this release, 82 allocations have been successfully processed and addressed, signifying significant progress in resolving legacy and emerging issues,” the company said.

Allocation issues

The company explained that its internal review showed that most complaints were not primarily about non-allocation but related to clients requesting second or follow-up visits to their allocated plots.

It noted that many of these plots are situated outside urban centres, typical of high-yield, emerging estate locations.

While acknowledging the inconvenience of long-distance site visits, PWAN stated that it is exploring digital mapping tools and improving client support services to address these challenges.

The company also encouraged clients to take prompt possession, particularly by fencing their plots once allocated.

The company noted, “This simple but critical step prevents future encroachment, clarifies physical boundaries, and strengthens ownership claims. Early possession also helps avert future complaints or misunderstandings regarding location or accessibility.”

More explanations

The company further revealed that it has resolved over 75 per cent of land allocation-related issues, with many clients already taking possession of their plots and several commencing development activities.

It also confirmed that a structured reallocation process has been established to address cases involving title-related complications, ensuring that affected clients are offered alternative plots of equal or greater value.

Additionally, the company highlighted the importance of clients completing all necessary payments and documentation, noting that outstanding obligations or incomplete records frequently cause processing delays.

“Clients based abroad are encouraged to update their contact details via our verified platforms to ensure seamless communication. PWAN launched the “Fence Your Plot Project” (FYPP) campaign to complement the call for early possession. This initiative urges all allottees to demarcate their land upon allocation physically. Beyond reinforcing ownership, fencing helps protect client investments, supports structured estate planning, and drastically reduces the risk of trespass or boundary disputes.

“In recent weeks, certain inaccurate and misleading narratives have emerged on social media. Specifically, Mr. Scott Iguma has disseminated unverified claims against PWAN Group. The company clarifies that multiple invitations were extended to Mr Iguma to present documented evidence of his claims. Unfortunately, no such evidence has been submitted. PWAN Group continues to prioritise dialogue and has also involved appropriate legal and law enforcement channels to ensure transparency and protect the interests of its clients”, said the company.

Furthermore, the company advised the general public to disregard unverified social media commentary and rely exclusively on accurate information published through PWAN’s official channels.

Despite PWAN’s repeated rebuttals, Mr Iguma maintains that he will continue calling out the real estate firm for its alleged sharp practices until it settles all outstanding alleged ‘debts’ owed to its customers.