Edo State Government said it has begun reclaiming its cattle ranches from land grabbers in different parts of the state as part of its move revive ranches in the state.
It said anybody found to have sold parts of the ranches would be prosecuted in line with the Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025.
The law prescribed 10 years imprisonment for anyone who violently or forcefully entered into state-owned property.
Chairman, Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Eugene Okoloise, said a special court would be set up to prosecute offenders.
Okoloise, who spoke at a briefing in Benin City, said many offenders have been identified to be prosecuted under the new law.
He said over 500 state-owned properties have been recovered from individuals since Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed office.
Okoloise vowed that there would be nk sacred cow in the bid to recover government properties.
He said: “Before now, there was no law empowering us to prosecute offenders. But now that the governor has signed this law, there will be no excuse. Anyone caught would be prosecuted in accordance with the law. And to this effect, the government has set up a special court to prosecute anyone who sells or encroaches on government property.
“And I want to assure Edo people that anyone caught shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law, no matter how highly placed. We are not going to spare anyone or treat anyone especially for his or her status.
“We are going to sensitise the general public including the rural dwellers that there is a new law to prosecute anyone that forcefully enters government property. I have plans of going round media houses to sensitise our people. Briefing you on the new law is part of the enlightenment campaign.”
