Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has adjourned the suit involving the Edo State Government and Everal Services Ltd, operators and franchise owners of Ogba Zoo, to October 26, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The suit, marked No. B/2070S/2002, was instituted by Everal Services Ltd to seek enforcement of a N36.5 million arbitral award against the Edo State Government.
The matter came up before Justice P. A. Akhihiero, on Tuesday but proceedings could not continue, following the absence of counsel representing the Edo State Government.
The court was subsequently adjourned to October 26, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
Speaking with journalists after the sitting, counsel to Everal Services Ltd, Kingsley Obamogie (SAN), said the company is seeking the court to enforce an arbitral award delivered on November 3, 2016, in its favour over the state’s alleged breach of a lease agreement for the management of Ogba Zoo.
Obamogie explained that the sole arbitrator awarded approximately N36.5 million in damages to Everal Services and also issued directives aimed at safeguarding the future of Ogba Zoo, which he described as a national asset of immense value to Edo State and Nigeria.
According to him, the arbitral award directed the Edo State Government to secure the zoo by constructing a perimeter fence, following years of alleged encroachment on the property by trespassers.
He expressed regret that, nearly a decade after the award was issued, neither the monetary compensation nor the preservation directives have been implemented.
He attributed the delay largely to what he described as a lack of political will by the previous administration.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria disclosed that both parties had explored an out-of-court settlement, but the negotiations failed, leaving Everal Services with no option but to seek judicial enforcement of the arbitral award.
“The award is binding on all the parties, and that is why we have approached the court for its enforcement,” Obamogie said.
He also observed that the government’s absence at the latest hearing mirrored its conduct during the arbitration proceedings, alleging that it similarly failed to actively participate before the sole arbitrator, which culminated in the award in favour of Everal Services.
Obamogie further revealed that the court has ordered hearing notices to be served on the respondents and expressed confidence that the matter would proceed once service has been effected, regardless of whether the respondents appear in court.
“The court does not wait endlessly for parties. Once they have been properly served, the matter can proceed,” he said.
The case has been adjourned to October 26, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
