JEDDAH: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) has launched a probe into the sale of several suspected pieces of state land in Julla and Tebrak in Al-Muzahimiyah province.

Abdul Rahman Al-Ajlan, Nazaha’s spokesman, said the investigation would be into several advertisements in local newspapers announcing the sale of these properties. The findings would be submitted to the Interior Ministry, he said.

Al-Ajlan said Nazaha has suggested that a committee be set up to oversee the investigation, with officials from the Riyadh governorate and ministries of agriculture, water and electricity, and justice.

The main aim is to identify the original owner of the property and remove any infringement on state-owned land. The Interior Ministry has ordered that the notary public office in Al-Muzahimiyah should be probed for possible corruption because it had recently approved 800 land deeds in one day.