The Edo state government has denied reports claiming that it revoked the statutory rights of occupancy of Presco Plc.
Presco Plc is a Nigerian agro-industrial company engaged in oil palm cultivation and the processing of palm oil products, with operations that include plantations, milling, and refining facilities.
A recent report alleged that Governor Monday Okpebholo had revoked the C-of-O granted to Presco Plc “in the interest of overriding public concerns.”
The report stated:
“Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by sections 28 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 and by virtue of all other laws enabling me on that behalf, I, SEN. MONDAY OKPEBHOLO, the Governor of Edo State of Nigeria, hereby revoke the Statutory Right of Occupancy granted to PRESCO PLC for overriding public interest.
“It is in respect of all that property known and referred to as Digital Plot No. 38445, RURAL ZONE / B33/OLOGBO, Benin City, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, measuring an area of approximately 13,545 hectares.”
In response, Umar Musa Ikhilor, secretary to the state government (SSG), clarified that the former managing director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) acted independently, without approval, and ignored official procedures as well as the precise land area involved.
“The Edo state government wishes to categorically state that the said publication did not emanate from the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, nor from any authorised organ of the state government,” the SSG said.
“The government has verified that the immediate past managing director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) acted unilaterally, without authorisation, and in complete disregard for established procedures and the actual number of hectares intended for excision from PRESCO PLC’s total landholding.
“For clarity, the Edo State Government has not revoked PRESCO PLC’s Statutory Right of Occupancy.
“What was under technical consideration was the excision of approximately 20 hectares, a clearly defined area strictly limited to the portions of land containing strategic crude oil wells.
“This excision became necessary because no individual or company can lawfully exercise proprietary rights over land where mineral resources are located, as such resources are vested exclusively in the federal government.”
The SSG added that a formal administrative review has been initiated to investigate the “unauthorised actions” of the former EDOGIS managing director and strengthen internal controls to prevent future breaches.
He urged the public to disregard the purported notice entirely while assuring stakeholders that all land management decisions in Edo will continue to follow due process.