Edo Governor Warns Land Grabbers faces 10 Year Jail Term

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has issued a strong warning to land grabbers, declaring that anyone found illegally occupying or selling government property will face up to ten years in prison.

The warning follows the signing of a new law aimed at ending years of unchecked encroachment on state-owned lands.

Chairman of the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Hon. Eugene Okoloise, announced the development during a press briefing in Benin City on Wednesday. He said the law empowers the government to prosecute offenders and recover public assets held by individuals or groups.

Okoloise revealed that since assuming office, his committee has recovered more than 500 government properties that were unlawfully taken by private persons. He said the new law would make future violations punishable by long prison terms, stressing that no one, regardless of social or political status, would be exempt.

Before now, he explained, the state lacked the legal framework to prosecute offenders. The new legislation, signed by Governor Okpebholo, now authorises the establishment of a special court dedicated to handling such cases. The court will ensure that those involved in land grabbing, property sales, or illegal occupation of government assets are brought to justice.

Okoloise added that efforts are underway to raise public awareness about the new law. The committee has begun a media and community outreach campaign to educate residents across Edo State about the penalties for land grabbing. According to him, the campaign will cover both urban and rural communities to ensure that every citizen understands the consequences of violating the law.

He reaffirmed his commitment to recovering all government properties illegally acquired by individuals and warned that political influence or social connections would not shield offenders. He described the move as part of the state’s determination to restore order, protect public assets, and discourage criminal encroachment on government lands.

The new law, he noted, marks a turning point in Edo’s fight against land racketeering, sending a clear message that land grabbing will no longer be tolerated in the state.