BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government has warned individuals and groups allegedly involved in the illegal sale and multiple resale of government-acquired land in Obagie-N’Evbuosa community to desist from the practice, assuring legitimate investors of protection and the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The warning was issued by the Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Dr. Innocent E. Bello, at a press briefing in Benin City on behalf of the Edo State Government Land Restitution Committee.
Bello said the allocation, registration and administration of government-controlled land remained the exclusive responsibility of the state government and its designated agencies.
He warned that no individual, family, community, traditional group, association or self-appointed land committee had the authority to allocate or register government land, urging members of the public to conduct proper searches and due diligence before purchasing property.
According to him, the government was concerned by allegations that some elders and community members of Oke-Oroma, allegedly led by Mr. Gaius Emokpae, had been involved in the sale and resale of portions of the government acquisition to unsuspecting buyers.
He added that some individuals had allegedly continued to interfere with developers who acquired their interests through established government processes.
“No person should sell the same parcel of land to multiple buyers and subsequently mobilise community members or other persons to harass, threaten or obstruct legitimate developers,” Bello said.
He explained that the Government Land Restitution Committee was established to address genuine grievances arising from land transactions and protect persons who acquired interests in land in good faith.
According to him, the committee had undertaken due diligence and, where necessary, forensic examination of documents submitted by developers to establish the authenticity and history of the transactions.
The EDOGIS boss stressed that the exercise was “not a witch-hunt of any individual, community or group.”
He disclosed that the government would formally invite Gaius Emokpae and other persons allegedly connected with the transactions to appear before the committee and provide details, including the dates and circumstances of the sales, sums received and the disposition of the proceeds.
Others listed for invitation include Abel Emokpae, Osaze Patrick, Sylvester Obayuwana, Wilfred Emokpae, Osasco Eric, Osaretin Emokpae and Terry Emokpae, among others.
Bello said the invitations were intended to promote transparency and accountability and provide those involved an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
The state government also warned against land grabbing, fraudulent multiple sales, forgery, impersonation, fraudulent documentation, intimidation and obstruction of lawful government activities.
Bello said credible evidence of criminal conduct would be referred to the appropriate law-enforcement agencies, stressing that disagreements over land did not justify violence, threats, kidnapping, destruction of property or intimidation.
The government further cautioned against what it described as malicious publications and misleading campaigns against the Restitution Committee, urging bloggers, influencers and media organisations to verify allegations before publication.
It called on persons responsible for allegedly false or defamatory claims against the government or the committee to substantiate their allegations before the appropriate authorities and, where necessary, issue a retraction within three days.
At the same time, the government reaffirmed its commitment to the peaceful resolution of genuine land disputes and urged legitimate claimants with unresolved cases to submit their documents through approved channels.
Bello concluded with a firm warning: “Government land is protected. Legitimate investors are protected. The rule of law will prevail.”
He thanked the Enogie and residents of Obagie-N’Evbuosa for their cooperation and urged all stakeholders to allow the restitution process to run its course.
The government, he said, would not permit land administration in Edo State to be “hijacked by individuals or groups acting outside the law.”
