Among the North-West Edo, in contrast with Etsako and Ivbiosakon, there appears to be a differentiation of land rights below the ward level. ‘‘ Family” groups are said to hold exclusive rights over farming tracts and family heads have discretion over the alienation of tree crops by sale or pledge. Igbira people who farm in some areas pay rents to the ‘‘families ‘‘ who own the land. On the first day of an open season each family exploits the tree crops on its land jointly and thereafter individuals may work them separately.
The Enwan community as a whole is said to have purchased its land from and Akuku for money and slaves, though the latter communities claim that did not cede full rights.
Newly cleared land is the property of the individual who clears it and passes to his heirs
