Edo Land Battle: Tension Brews As Oke Oroma Elders Threaten Legal Action Against Gov Okpebholo, Aides

by MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

Elders of Oke Oroma Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State are again raising the alarm over the alleged activities of the Profiling Committee assigned to profile the disputed land area on their ancestral land.

The elders say they may be forced to invoke a subsisting restraining order against Governor Monday Okpebholo and his aides over their reported actions on the disputed property.

The fresh twist in the disputed ancestral land property in Oke Oroma was occasioned by a suspected skim game being played by the profiling committee, directed by the Governor to profile and return the land appropriately to the owners.

They allege that despite the directive of the Governor to return the disputed areas to the owners and a further court injunction barring both parties from carrying out activities on the land, some government officials have continued to operate outside the Governor and court’s directives.

The community leaders, led by the head, Gaius Idusuyi Emokpae said the move was to prevent a breakdown of law and order in Oke Oroma.

They are calling on the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to direct the Profiling Committee to comply with his directives to release the land to the owners or respect the rule of law by allowing the matter to be determined in court.

Emokpae said the case, which is now before High Court 9 in Benin City under Justice Ovbiagele, will determine the next steps in the long-running land dispute.

In the suit No:B/61/2022 filed on July 9, 2026 by the head of the Community, Gaius Idusuyi Emokpae, Monday Omoroguiwa, Abel Uwadiae Emokpae, Silvester Obayuwana and two others on behalf of the people of Oke Oroma sought a notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court on form 48 as the claimants.

A High Court in the Benin Judiciary  Division had earlier issued a restraining order of interlocutory injunction against the Edo State Government, the Governor, Monday Okpebholo, Attorney General of Edo State, Edo State Geographic Information Service, EdoGIS, and twenty others cutting across neighboring communities directing them to halt all operations on the ancestral land of Oke Oroma Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, of the State.

The community elders who are bittered by the poor treatments of the government agency said an interlocutory injunction was first granted by Justice V.O Eborime of High Court 8.

Justice Eborime has since been transferred to another tribunal, where Justice Akinkhero has taken over.

However, the matter, according to him, is now being handled in High Court 9 under Justice Ovbiagele.

 

In a widely published notice of warning made available to newsmen recently, the Community leaders threatened to use “Form 48”, warning the Edo State Profiling Committee of further actions on the land pending the determination of the case.

The focus, according to Emokpae, of the current proceedings, is the alleged disobedience of a court injunction first issued in 2022.

The elders of the community also raised concerns over a recent profiling exercise carried out by the EdoGIS.

He noted that documents before him indicated a sharp rise in the number of listed developers, from about 200 in 2019 to over 3,000 in 2026 after the governor’s pronouncement to return the land to its rightful owners.

The Community head alleged that many names on the new list have no connection to Oke Oroma, a development seen as detrimental to the plight of the owners.

Recall that, Governor Monday Okpebholo assured the community during his electioneering campaign of giving back their lands forcefully acquired by the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Shortly after assuming office, Governor Monday Okpebholo reiterated his commitment to return the disputed landed property.

He condemned the actions of his predecessor, accusing the previous administration of deliberately punishing the people for personal gain.

Weeks later, a committee was inaugurated to handle the matter. It was headed by Dr. Ikpasaja, who has since been sacked over allegations of improper conduct.

Following his removal, Abdul-Wasui Oyakhire, Secretary of the Profiling Committee, stepped in to take over.

Since his appointment, Oyakhire has been accused by community leaders of involvement in alleged land-related irregularities, actions they say run contrary to the governor’s stated intentions.

According to the leaders, Oyakhire served as a prominent member of the previous administration of Godwin Obaseki.

They allege that he is continuing similar practices and cited the acquisition of several parcels of land in local communities, including Oke Oroma, as an example.

It was learned that Elders of Oke Oroma Community have repeatedly raised the alarm over an alleged attempt by some officials within the EdoGIS, in collaboration with Dr. Oyakhire, to revive the Coral City Template. The project was initiated during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

According to the community, these elements have now reportedly established another new company named Edo New Towns Development Company LTD to replace the aborted Coral City with the directors purely their kinsmen and associates.

This clandestine move by these elements is aimed at undermining and frustrating the goodwill and progressive directives of the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

Reacting to the allegations, Abdul-Wasui Oyakhire, Secretary of the Profiling Committee, said it is not possible under CAC regulations for individuals to register a company using a state name such as “Edo” or “Delta”.

 

He added that the previous Obaseki administration floated a company called “New Town Development”, which was used to manage the profiling of property owners.

According to him, the current governor said his administration would not follow that path.

Oyakhire further stated that some community leaders were captured during the profiling exercise and were allotted two to three plots each, including for their kinsmen, and have since resold the plots to other buyers.

He explained that even as they have continued to accuse him, some members have secretly revealed that they were comfortable with the government dealing with the issues calling those who have isolated themselves creating double standards

He warned against the spread of falsehoods, saying such actions could undermine the goodwill of the governor.

The restraining order bars the governor’s aides from further actions on the land until the case is fully determined.