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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Ahead of the implementation of the new Public Property Protection Law, the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, tasked with its implementation, has announced plans to convene stakeholder meetings and embark on sensitisation of the people of the state to create awareness about the law.
The Public Property Protection Law was recently passed by the State House of Assembly and assented to by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Chairman of the Committee Mr. Eugene Okoloise, who disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Benin City, said a special court would be created to prosecute offenders, stressing that there would be no sacred cows in the implementation of the law.
He further announced that the committee has recovered over 500 government properties from trespassers in the last year.
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The Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025, establishes the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, a statutory body mandated to oversee, safeguard, and recover all public properties belonging to the State. The law empowers the committee to prevent unauthorised occupation, vandalism, encroachment, alienation, or destruction of public assets.
Under the new law, the committee shall have the authority to identify, inspect, seal, and recover encroached public properties, investigate disputes, and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance. It also empowers the committee to initiate legal actions through the Ministry of Justice against any individual or entity found in contravention of the provisions of the law.
The law prescribes stringent penalties for violations. Unauthorised sale or transfer of government property without the governor’s consent now attracts a five-year prison term, while violent or forceful entry into state-owned property could lead to up to ten years’ imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence.
Besides, professionals who aid or abet illegal land transactions involving state property will also face sanctions, including prosecution and referral to their professional bodies for disciplinary action. Additionally, false petitions or fraudulent claims relating to government lands will attract severe penalties to deter abuse of process.
