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.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
