The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has issued a decisive consent judgment in favour of Uyiekpen Ologbosere and Portcall International Farms Ltd, revoking all prior Certificates of Occupancy issued by the Edo State Government to any other parties over a disputed 200.309-hectare expanse of land situated in Obagie Nevbosa, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area.
Presiding over the matter, Honourable Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo delivered the judgment in suit number B/672/2023, filed against the Governor of Edo State and 20 other defendants.
In her ruling, Justice Imadegbelo affirmed the validity of the Certificate of Occupancy granted exclusively to Ologbosere and Portcall International Farms Ltd, confirming them as the rightful owners of the entire land in question.
The court identified the land by Survey Plan No. SEA/ED/97, bordered in pink, and attached to Certificate of Occupancy No. EDSR 14764, thereby nullifying any conflicting land titles previously allocated by
the state government or acquired by other individuals or entities.In addition to the ownership declaration, Justice Imadegbelo issued a perpetual injunction restraining the Edo State Government, its representatives, agents, and any other individuals acting on its behalf, from entering, occupying, or interfering with the said property in any capacity. The court further authorized Ologbosere and Portcall International Farms Ltd to reclaim full possession of the land and to lawfully evict any unauthorized occupants.
While no monetary compensation was awarded, the judgment carried a stern warning. The court emphasized that any person or group found to be in breach of the order—by attempting to enter or meddle with the land—would be held in contempt and risk imprisonment.
With the issuance of this judgment, Uyiekpen Ologbosere and Portcall International Farms Ltd are now recognized as the exclusive legal owners of the 200.309 hectares in Obagie Nevbosa, conclusively ending all rival claims to the property.
