The Edo State Government has denied the purported revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of 13,545 hectares of land belonging to Presco Plc.
Kassim Afegbua, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, disclosed this while speaking with BusinessDay on the phone in Benin City.
According to him, the information is not true.
BusinessDay reports that a viral notice signed by the Governor, Monday Okpebholo, dated November 21, 2025, noted that the land was revoked in accordance with Sections 28 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 (Now an Act).
He added that the action was taken for overriding public interest and also noted that there are two oil wells on the land.
According to the notice, the Revocation of Right of Occupancy and Compensation thereof is in Pursuance of Section 28 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 (Now an Act).
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“Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by sections (28) 1 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 revokes the Statutory Right of Occupancy granted to PRESCO PLC for over-riding public interest.
“The revocation notice is on 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.
“The boundaries of which are described in detailed survey at the back of the Certificate of Occupancy dated 23rd day of February, 2025, which is registered as No. 133 at Page 1 in Volume 30 now kept in EDOGIS Lands Registry at Benin City, Edo State in favour of PRESCO PLC for over-riding public interest and for the fact that two oil wells are on the land”, he said.
Presco Plc is the largest private palm oil plantation in the State and Nigeria’s biggest palm oil maker.
