Ogba Zoo Legal Battle: Court Defers Hearing on N36.5m Award Enforcement Suit Against Edo Government
From Chris Akhabue, Benin The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has adjourned proceedings in the ongoing dispute between the Edo State Government and Everal Services Ltd, franchise holder of Ogba Zoo, to October 26, 2026, for continuation of hearing. The suit, marked B/2070S/2002, was instituted by Everal Services Ltd, seeking enforcement of a N36.5 million arbitral award granted in its favour against the state government. When the matter came up before Justice P. A. Akhihiero on Tuesday, proceedings were stalled due to the absence of legal representation for the Edo State Government. Consequently, the court adjourned the case to the new date. Addressing journalists after the session, counsel to Everal Services Ltd, Kingsley Obamogie (SAN), stated that the company is pursuing enforcement of an arbitral award delivered on November 3, 2016, over the alleged breach of a lease agreement relating to the management of Ogba Zoo. He disclosed that the sole arbitrator ...