The Edo State Government has disowned a publication circulating in the National Vanguard Newspaper of Wednesday, November 26, 2025, which alleged the revocation of the Statutory Rights of Occupancy of Presco Plc.
In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, the government described the notice—published on page 33 and titled “Revocation of Statutory Rights of Occupancy Pursuant to Sections 28 and 38”—as false, unauthorised and misleading.
According to the statement, the publication did not emanate from the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, nor from any authorised agency of government.
The government said it had conducted an internal verification which revealed that the immediate past Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) acted unilaterally and without approval. The official, it said, disregarded established procedures and misrepresented the actual portion of land under technical review.
The government clarified that Presco Plc’s Statutory Right of Occupancy has not been revoked. What was under consideration, it explained, was the possible excision of approximately 20 hectares of land covering strategic crude oil wells. The statement noted that such excision was necessary because mineral resources—including oil and gas—are vested exclusively in the Federal Government, and no individual or company can claim proprietary rights over such areas.
Citing constitutional and statutory provisions, the government referenced Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 1 of the Petroleum Industry Act (2021), which vest ownership and control of all petroleum resources in the Federal Government. It also noted that while Section 28 of the Land Use Act empowers government to revoke rights of occupancy for overriding public interest, no such approval—partial or total—was granted by the Governor in this case.
The Edo State Government has therefore called on the public, stakeholders, and Presco Plc to disregard the newspaper publication entirely.
It announced that an administrative review has begun to investigate the unauthorised actions of the former EDOGIS Managing Director, with measures being put in place to strengthen internal controls and prevent future occurrences.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparent land administration and investor-friendly governance, the government stated that all decisions involving land and strategic national assets—particularly oil and gas—will continue to be guided by due process.
Umar Musa Ikhilor
Secretary to the State Government
