Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo has signed the Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025, and the Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law, 2025, into law.
Both laws, according to Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, represented the administration’s ongoing reforms to restore institutional discipline, promote transparency, protect the collective patrimony of Edo people from encroachment, abuse, as well as illegal appropriation.
Itua, in statement, said the Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025, allowed establishment of the the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee.
He said the Committee would be mandated to oversee, safeguard, and recover all public properties belonging to the State.
According to him: “Under the new law, the committee shall have the authority to identify, inspect, seal, and recover encroached public properties, investigate disputes, and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance.
“It also empowers the committee to initiate legal actions through the Ministry of Justice against any individual or entity found in contravention of the provisions of the law.
“The law prescribes stringent penalties for violations. Unauthorized sale or transfer of government property without the Governor’s consent now attracts a five-year prison term, while violent or forceful entry into state-owned property could lead to up to ten years’ imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence.
“Professionals who aid or abet illegal land transactions involving state property will also face sanctions, including prosecution and referral to their professional bodies for disciplinary action. Additionally, false petitions or fraudulent claims relating to government lands will attract severe penalties to deter abuse of process.”
On the Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law, 2025, Itua said the law reconstituted the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal as a superior court of record in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He explained that the Court would exercise appellate and supervisory jurisdiction over civil proceedings involving questions of customary law, as well as original jurisdiction over chieftaincy and traditional stool matters within the State.
“Under the new framework, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal will be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), subject to confirmation by the Edo State House of Assembly. Six other judges will serve on the court, each required to possess not less than ten years of post-call experience and demonstrable expertise in customary law practice.
“To guarantee judicial independence, the salaries and allowances of the President and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal are to be charged directly on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Edo State.”
