The Federal High Court, Benin has commenced hearing into the case filed by a philanthropist group, Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa against Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo over alleged unlawful trespass and illegal demolition of its national secretariat, situated at Oba Ewuare II Cultural Centre 7, Arena Way, Amagba, Benin City, Edo state.
NBM’s 28-man legal team led by Chief Reginald Asiuwhu, filed a suit on Wednesday, June 4, seeking justice and adequate compensation for what they described as Edo State Government gross violations of their constitutional rights to freedom of Association and illegal destruction of their property.
Representing the Edo State Government in the case were prominent lawyers Steve Okuro, O. C. Igbinedion, C. C. Chinedu, and H.A Bello SAN.
During Thursday’s court session, the Edo State Government’s legal team led by H.A Bello SAN, argued that the third defendant in the suit had not yet been properly served with court papers.
Justice Chukwu Obiozor requested evidence of service from the NBM lawyers but they were unable to produce it, citing a misplaced document.
Consequently, Justice Obiozor adjourned the case to June 16, 2025, urging both parties to come prepared with complete documentation and to adhere strictly to legal procedures.
Outside the courtroom, Chief Reginald Asiuwhu expressed strong confidence in the movement’s case.
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According to him: “NBM of Africa is a charitable, non-governmental organization whose secretariat was illegally demolished by the Edo State Government”.
“Before any responsible government demolishes any property, there must be a court order. This reckless act is why we are here to challenge and declare it unconstitutional.”
Asiuwhu argued that labeling the group as a “cult organisation” was defamatory, libelous and a blanket accusation that failed to respect due process.
According to him: “Assuming, without conceding, that there are a few bad eggs in the organization, it doesn’t make the entire organization a bad one.The organization is like every other organization in Nigeria.After all, NBM is properly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in line with Nigerian law.
“If the government had concerns, they should have reached out to the security cameras to check the activities within and around the NBM secretariat before taking any other legal steps”.
The NBM lawyer described the demolished secretariat as a “gigantic, well-furnished building” that also served the community for social events. “How then could they demolish it without notice, without giving us a chance to salvage anything, and without any fair hearing?” he queried.
He added “Edo State Government will pay heavily for what they have done. This will be the last illegal demolition they carry out,” insisting that the Edo state government would face consequences.
“We are not just fighting for NBM but for all registered organisations that could be targeted in the future.”
Dr. Sir Chukwudi Ijeoma, President of NBM of Africa Upper South East, said: “We came here to challenge this illegal demolition. We are a registered organization, and the government should recognize that,” he said.
But lawyers representing the Edo State Government declined to comment on the case.
On April 30, 2025, the Edo State Government mobilised bulldozers and staff to the international secretariat of the organisation to carry out the demolition of the entire building ,claiming it was aiding cultism .