Friday, November 14, 2025 - The Edo Muslims for Good Governance (EMGG), has dragged the Edo State Government to court over its decision to hand over several public schools to the Catholic Mission.
The suit, marked HAG/15/2025, challenges the legality of the
move, with the group arguing that it violates the 1999 Constitution, which
guarantees freedom of religion and protection from discrimination. EMGG insists
the government did not consult Muslim stakeholders or other religious groups
before making the decision.
The affected schools include St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar
School in Benin City, Annunciation Catholic College in Irrua, St. Angela’s
Girls Grammar School in Uzairue, and Obaseki Primary School in Benin City.
The group is also opposing the planned transfer of an
additional 36 public schools to the Catholic Mission, describing the move as
discriminatory and lacking legislative approval.
EMGG is asking the court to stop the state government from
handing over any public school to a religious organisation without due process
and equal consideration for all faiths. At the hearing, counsel to the state
government told the court that they had not yet filed their response to the
suit.
Justice Ovenseri Aghamieghen Otameri adjourned the case to
December 9, 2025, for further hearing.
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