Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed into law two major bills, the Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025 and the Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law, 2025.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor said the laws reflect his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the protection of public property from abuse and illegal acquisition.
The Public Property Protection Law establishes the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, a statutory body mandated to safeguard, recover and manage all state-owned assets.
The committee will work with law enforcement agencies to prevent encroachment, vandalism, and unlawful occupation of public properties.
The new law also empowers the committee to seal, reclaim, and initiate legal proceedings against offenders through the Ministry of Justice.
It prescribes strict penalties for violations, including a five-year jail term for unauthorised sale or transfer of government property, and up to ten years’ imprisonment for violent or forceful entry into state-owned assets.
Okpebholo stressed that the legal framework demonstrates his administration’s zero tolerance for corruption and impunity, noting, “Public assets belong to the people of Edo State, not individuals. This law ensures that no one, regardless of status, can convert public property for personal gain.”
He added that professionals aiding illegal land transactions involving state property will face prosecution and disciplinary action from their professional bodies.
Similarly, filing false claims or petitions concerning government land will attract severe penalties.
Since taking office, Okpebholo has intensified efforts to reclaim public assets, appointing Eugene Okoloise as Managing Director of the Edo State Task Force for the Protection of Government Properties, an initiative that has already recovered several buildings and parcels of land.
In a related development, the governor also assented to the Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law, 2025, officially restoring the court as a superior court of record in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The reconstituted court will have appellate and supervisory jurisdiction over civil matters related to customary law and original jurisdiction over chieftaincy and traditional stool disputes.
Under the law, the President of the Court will be appointed by the governor based on the National Judicial Council’s recommendation and confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Six judges with at least 10 years of post-call experience in customary law practice will also serve on the bench.
To guarantee judicial independence, the salaries and allowances of the President and Judges will be charged directly to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Edo State.
Okpebholo described the re-establishment of the court as “a reaffirmation of Edo’s commitment to accessible justice, respect for traditional values, and fidelity to the Constitution.”
Commending the governor’s vision, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice said the new laws mark “a new era in asset governance and judicial integrity,” adding that they will strengthen institutional accountability and preserve Edo’s moral and material heritage.
