Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed into law two significant legislations — the Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025, and the Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law, 2025.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo state, Fred Itua, in a statement, noted that the two new laws, signed on Tuesday, represent the government’s renewed commitment to restoring institutional discipline, promoting transparency, and safeguarding Edo’s collective patrimony from encroachment, abuse, and illegal appropriation.
Under the Public Property Protection Law, a Public Property Protection Committee is established to oversee, safeguard, and recover public assets belonging to the state. The committee is empowered to prevent unauthorized occupation, vandalism, and destruction of public property, as well as initiate legal action through the Ministry of Justice against offenders.
Governor Okpebholo described the law as a demonstration of his administration’s zero tolerance for corruption and misuse of state property.
“This law ensures that no one, no matter how highly placed, can appropriate public property for private gain”, he stated.
The law prescribes stiff penalties, including a five-year jail term for unauthorized sale or transfer of government property and up to ten years’ imprisonment for forceful entry or violent takeover of state-owned assets. Professionals who aid illegal land transactions will face prosecution and disciplinary action, while false claims or petitions concerning government land will attract severe sanctions.
Similarly, the Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law, 2025, reconstitutes the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal as a superior court of record, in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The court will have appellate and supervisory jurisdiction over civil cases involving customary law and original jurisdiction on chieftaincy and traditional matters.
The President of the Court will be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly, with six judges possessing at least ten years of post-call experience in customary law practice.
To strengthen judicial independence, the remuneration of the President and Judges of the Court will be charged directly to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Edo State.
Governor Okpebholo said the re-establishment of the Customary Court of Appeal reaffirms his administration’s commitment to accessible justice, traditional values, and constitutional fidelity.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice lauded the Governor’s initiative, describing the new laws as “critical instruments for institutional renewal, asset governance, and judicial integrity.”
