Our reporter
The Edo State Government has officially revoked the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) previously granted to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and Western Boys High School, citing the need for a major infrastructure project in the area.
Governor Monday Okpebholo personally signed the revocation order on 31 January 2025, and the decision was made public through a notice in Vanguard Newspaper on 5 February 2025. The affected land, located along Benin-Agbor Road in Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, includes approximately 49,225 square metres occupied by the NCoS and 2,443,900 square metres within the Western Boys High School premises.
According to the government, the land is required for the construction of the Ramat Park Flyover, a project deemed to be in the overriding public interest. The revocation was carried out under the provisions of the Land Use Act of 1978.
The Edo State Government has assured that compensation will be provided in accordance with Sections 28 and 38 of the Land Use Act. Affected parties have been instructed to submit claims of ownership or interest in the land to the Edo State Geographic Information Service within six weeks from the date of the public notice. Failure to do so, the government warns, could result in the land being treated as unoccupied or underdeveloped.
Furthermore, the notice states that the government will take possession of the land once the six-week notice period expires. Any individual who obstructs this process could face legal penalties, including a fine, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, formerly known as the Nigerian Prison Service, is a federal agency operating under the Ministry of Interior.
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