Edo govt revokes security agency's land C-of-O 6 February 2025 The Edo State government has withdrawn the Statutory Right of occupancy it formerly granted to the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS and revoked the Certificate of Occupancy, C-of-O, issued on all the land within Western Boys High School in the State. The withdrawal of the Statutory Right of Occupancy, which is raising fresh concerns over impending litigations, affects both Western Boys High School and NCoS land located on Benin-Agbor Road, Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The revocation orders were personally signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo on January 31st 2025. It was published in Vanguard Newspaper public notice on the 5th of February 2025. He said the land being occupied by the NCoS, measuring an area of approximately 49.225 square metres along with all parcels of land within Western Boys High School, measuring approximately 2443.900 square metres, are both “required for the service of the government of Edo State, Nigeria, was for the overriding public interest to wit: FOR RAMAT PARK FLYOVER”. Okpebholo said, “Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the Land Use Decree 1978 (now an Act), and by the virtue of all other laws enabling me in that behalf, I Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State of Nigeria hereby revoke the Right of Occupancy granted in respect of all the parcel of land, the boundaries of which are described below is required for over-riding public interest to with FOR RAMAT PARK FLYOVER”. The Government, however, assured compensation in the said property pursuance to Sections 28 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of the 1978 (now at Act) of the Parliament. The Government clarified that the withdrawn the Statutory Right of occupancy, including NCoS, encapsulated in the Survey plan annexed to the Certificate-of-Occupancy dated 16th March 2020, which is registered as No. 128 at page 1 in Volume 13 in file No. EDL 49400 is kept in the EDOGIS Lands Re Registry at Benin City, Edo State. It said, “Any person claiming to have any Right of Occupancy, Estate, interest or any other Right in the said land is required within (6) six weeks from the date of the service of this notice to send to the Managing Director, Edo State Geographic Information Service, 102, Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria, a statement of his/her interest of Right of Ownership, etc”, arising from its decision. The public notice also said, “the Government is willing to treat the revocation of Right of Occupancy of the said Land”, but insisted that “Land of which no statement is received is liable to be dealt with as an unoccupied/underdeveloped land. Accordingly, it further said, “Notice is hereby given that Government intends to enter into any possession of the said land on the expiration of (6) six weeks from the date of the publication of this notice in Edo State of Nigeria Official Gazette any of the national dailies that circulate widely in the State. In addition, the Government warned, “Any person who shall wilfully hinder or obstruct the Government or any person employed by the Government from taking possession of the said land or any part thereof is liable on conviction under the provisions of the law above mentioned to a fine as stipulated by law or 12 months imprisonment or both”. “By virtue of the provisions of the law and subject thereof, no claim to any estate, interest or right in land affected by the notice made at the expiration of twelve (12) Calendar months from the date of this publication of this notice in the Edo State of Nigeria Gazette shall be entertained by any public officer whose duty it’s to receive claims or by any court”, according to the notice. View and join our WhatsApp Channel for more interesting stories. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5mBOf11ulYBPA6VP3L Like, comment, and share for more articles.