Edo Muslims Drag Government to Court Over Public School Handover to Catholic Mission

The Edo Muslims for Good Governance (EMGG) has filed a suit against the Edo State Government, challenging the legality of its decision to hand over several public schools to the Catholic Mission.

The suit, marked HAG/15/2025, argues that the government’s action contravenes the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and protection from discrimination. EMGG contends that Muslim stakeholders and other religious groups were not consulted before the move.

The affected institutions include St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, Benin City; Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua; St. Angela’s Girls Grammar School, Uzairue; and Obaseki Primary School, Benin City. EMGG is also opposing the planned transfer of an additional 36 public schools to the Catholic Mission, describing the plan as discriminatory and lacking legislative backing.

The group is seeking an order from the court to prevent the state government from handing over any public school to religious organisations without following due process and ensuring equal consideration for all faiths.

At the hearing, the counsel representing the state government informed the court that a response to the suit had not yet been filed. Justice Ovenseri Aghamieghen Otameri adjourned the matter to December 9, 2025, for further hearing.