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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed two significant laws aimed at protecting public assets and strengthening the state’s justice system.

The laws, titled Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025 and Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law, 2025, are part of the government’s wider reforms to promote transparency, discipline, and respect for the rule of law, according to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua on Tuesday.

The new Public Property Protection Law introduces stiff penalties for anyone caught illegally acquiring or tampering with state-owned property.

Under the law, unauthorised sale or transfer of government assets without the Governor’s approval carries a five-year jail term, while anyone found guilty of violent or forceful entry into public property could face up to ten years in prison, depending on the offence.

Governor Okpebholo described the move as a clear message that his administration will not tolerate corruption or misuse of public assets. “Public assets belong to the people of Edo State, not individuals. This law ensures that no one, no matter how highly placed, can appropriate public property for private gain,” he said.

The law also establishes the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, a statutory body charged with safeguarding and recovering all public properties belonging to the state.

The committee has the authority to identify, inspect, seal, and reclaim encroached lands or assets, and to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure offenders face prosecution.

Beyond individuals who engage directly in illegal acts, professionals such as surveyors, lawyers, or agents who aid fraudulent land transactions involving state property will also face sanctions.

They could be prosecuted and referred to their professional associations for disciplinary action. The law further criminalises false petitions or fraudulent claims over government lands, imposing strict penalties to deter such practices.

In the same legislative session, Governor Okpebholo signed into law the Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law, 2025, officially restoring the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal as a superior court of record, in line with the 1999 Constitution.

The court will have appellate and supervisory powers over civil cases involving customary law, as well as original jurisdiction in matters related to chieftaincy and traditional titles.

The President of the Court will be appointed by the Governor upon 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 bench, each with at least ten years of post-call experience and strong expertise in customary law.

To preserve the court’s independence, the salaries and allowances of its President and judges will be charged directly to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state.

Governor Okpebholo said the court’s re-establishment “reaffirms Edo’s commitment to accessible justice, respect for traditional values, and fidelity to the Constitution.” He added that a functional judicial system is key to good governance, peace, and investor confidence.

Commending the Governor, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice said both laws represent “a new era in asset governance and judicial integrity,” and will serve as “critical instruments for institutional renewal and the protection of Edo’s moral and material heritage.”

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…Vows to Protect FG oil Infrastructure

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintain peace and ensure the security of vital oil infrastructure across the State, as he received the leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Edo State Chapter, at the Government House, Benin City.

Speaking during the courtesy visit by the newly-elected Chairman of IPMAN, Mr. Michael Ogiamen, alongside other executive members of the association, Governor Okpebholo commended the new leadership of IPMAN for resolving its internal crisis amicably and assured them of the State Government’s continued support in creating an enabling environment for petroleum marketers to operate smoothly.

The Governor said: “Let me thank the IPMAN leadership and members. The chairman, vice chairman, and regional chairman, I thank all of you because I was not around when the issue came up, and I was called upon. I quickly called my people to make sure that law and order were maintained.”

“I am happy today that you have come here to tell me that you are now in agreement. I also want you to call the other faction. Dialogue with them and absorb them into your group so that things can move smoothly.”

Governor Okpebholo also addressed concerns raised by the Association over pipeline vandalization along the Benin Depot–Warri Refinery corridor, assuring that the Government had already constituted a task force on pipeline monitoring to strengthen security in the State.

He added: “For the vandalization of pipelines, we have already set up a task force on pipeline monitoring. We will take charge on our own part. But the Warri part, that is Delta State. I will also talk to the Governor to see how we can jointly monitor the pipelines so that there will be no vandalization going forward.”

Okpebholo further hinted that his administration would empower the office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Pipeline Surveillance, Hon. Joseph Okonigene to enhance effective monitoring and protection of petroleum infrastructure in Edo State.

Earlier, in his remarks, the new chairman of IPMAN, Mr. Micheal Ogiamen assured the Governor of IPMAN’s commitment to transparency, unity, and continuity of leadership within the association.

He said: “I can honestly tell you, sir, that at the expiration of my tenure of three years, I will hand over to my vice here, Mr. Pius. That has been our practice, and it will not change according to our constitution.”

Governor Okpebholo’s engagement with IPMAN is part of his administration’s broader efforts to promote industrial peace, energy security, and efficient fuel distribution within Edo State.

Chairman of the committee set up by the Governor to resolve the internal crisis in IPMAN, Comrade Eribo Nwanta and members, all expressed appreciation to Okpebholo for his swift intervention in the IPMAN leadership crisis, which they said has restored peace in the association.

The Deputy Governor, Rt Hon. Dennis Idahosa and other top government officials were also present at the meeting.

Signed:
Fred Itua,
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.
Friday, 24 October, 2025.

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The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the nomination of four more commissioners.

The Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, announced the nominations, which are subject to approval by the Edo State House of Assembly.

Ikhilor gave the names of the four nominees in a statement on Friday as Hon. Nosa T. Adams, Hon. Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, Dr. Felix Ehiguese Akhabue, and Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponmwosa.

He added: The nomination of the aforementioned individuals will be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.”

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