An Edo High Court sitting in Benin City threatened to commit some officials of Edo State Government, including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, the General Manager of Edo Geographical Information Service, and Dr. Abdulwashiu Oyakhire, Secretary of the Edo Lands Restitution Committee to prison they fail to successfully defend themselves against a contempt charge hanging over their heads in the court.
The court presided over by Hon. Justice Imadogbelo had issued Form 49 for the officials to appear in court and show cause why they should not be committed to prison for disobeying the order of the court.
This order was given in a case instituted by Mayer Uyiekpen Ologbosere and Portcall lnternational Farms Limited over a parcel of land at Obagie Nevbuosa village, Benin city.
The court summons dated 27 January, 2026, which also spelt out a judgement based on terms of settlement entered into by all parties on the 3rd of March, 2025.
In a affidavit of support to the Form 49, the court was told that the terms of settlement were at the instance of parties to the matter and was made a judgement in the presence of the Attorney General And Commissioner For Justice who was represented in court.
The consent judgement awarded the land in dispute to Mayer Uyiekpen Ologbosere and Portcall lnternational Farms Limited.
Instead of abiding by the judgment, the affected government officials commenced acts of trespass to the entire property of the applicants as they have now also started sharing the land amongst 3rd parties.
