The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has adjourned proceedings in the legal dispute between the Edo State Government and Everal Services Ltd, the franchise holder of Ogba Zoo, to October 26, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The suit, marked B/2070S/2002, was filed by Everal Services Ltd to enforce an arbitral award of about N36.5 million allegedly granted in its favour against the Edo State Government.
When the matter came up before Justice P. A. Akhihiero on Tuesday, the case could not proceed because there was no legal representation for the Edo State Government. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to the new date.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, counsel to Everal Services Ltd, Kingsley Obamogie (SAN), said the company is seeking judicial enforcement of an arbitral award delivered on November 3, 2016, over what he described as the state’s breach of a lease agreement relating to the management of Ogba Zoo.
According to the senior lawyer, the sole arbitrator awarded the company approximately N36.5 million in damages and also directed the state government to take steps to preserve the zoo, which he described as a national asset of immense value to Edo State and Nigeria.
Obamogie said the award further required the government to construct a perimeter fence around the facility to protect it from encroachment by alleged trespassers.
He expressed concern that nearly 10 years after the arbitral decision, neither the monetary award nor the preservation directives had been implemented. He attributed the delay to what he described as a lack of political will by the previous administration.
The senior advocate also disclosed that efforts to resolve the dispute through an out-of-court settlement were unsuccessful, prompting the company to approach the court for enforcement of the arbitral award.
“The award is binding on all parties, which is why we have approached the court for enforcement,” Obamogie said.
He further criticised the absence of the Edo State Government at the latest court sitting, alleging that it reflected the government’s conduct during the arbitration proceedings, where it also failed to actively participate.
According to him, the court has ordered hearing notices to be served on the respondents and indicated that the matter would proceed once proper service has been effected.
“The court does not wait indefinitely for parties. Once duly served, proceedings can continue,” he added.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to October 26, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
