The Edo State Government, yesterday, said it evicted squatters and trespassers from government buildings and landed property in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Benin City after their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) were revoked.

Governor Godwin Obaseki made the clarification following insinuations that the state government demolished property of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s allies for political reasons.

In a statement in Benin City, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, said the eviction followed the revocation of the C-of-Os of the property the immediate past government allocated to political office holders and some companies.

He disclosed that one of the properties whose C-of-O was also revoked, belonged to Governor Obaseki, adding: “The property has been revoked, recovered and now belongs to the state government.”

Therefore, those occupying it are doing so illegally and are trespassers.”