Edo Assembly panel concludes public inquiry on MOWAA probe

The Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) Ad-hoc Committee investigating the controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), on Monday, concluded its public inquiry, with its final report scheduled for presentation to the House next week.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Addeh Isibor, disclosed this during the public hearing, marking significant step towards resolving questions surrounding the financing and management of the MOWAA project.

Appearing before the committee, the Accountant General of Edo State, Mr. Julius Oseimen Anelu, revealed that between March 2022 and April 2024, the state government released N3.8 billion as its counterpart contribution to the MOWAA project.

He explained that the state’s contribution was intended to attract $18 million (approximately N27 billion at the time) from international donors and investors.

However, when asked by the committee whether he had any record of the supposed N27 billion donor funds, the Accountant General replied in the negative, stating that his office received no voucher, receipt, or confirmation from foreign partners.

“The Treasury is not aware of any income from international donors. We did not receive any $18 million for the project,” he said.

Mr. Anelu also confirmed that the initial N800 million released for the project was duly appropriated in the 2022 Edo State Budget.

He further clarified that one of the three payment vouchers was issued to the benefit of Legacy Restoration Trust, while the remaining two were issued to MOWAA.

In a detailed oral and video presentation, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, speaking on behalf of the Benin Royal Family, alleged that the immediate past governor and some associates “hijacked” the original Benin Royal Museum project with a view to holding back the Repatriated Benin artefacts by renaming it MOWAA

He explained that many international donors initially expressed interest because they believed the Oba of Benin was involved.

According to him, donor confidence reportedly waned when they “discovered the true nature of the project’s control.”

Prince Erediauwa called for a thorough investigation, stressing that scrutiny should extend to individuals outside Edo State, rather than focusing accusations solely on Benin stakeholders.

In his concluding remarks, Hon. Isibor informed lawmakers that MOWAA representatives declined to appear before the committee on two separate occasions, despite selecting last Thursday as a convenient date.

He noted, however, that the committee would rely heavily on the documentary evidence voluntarily submitted by MOWAA.

Addressing concerns over an originating summons filed by MOWAA at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Hon. Isibor acknowledged receiving a letter from Olayiwola Afolabi, SAN, counsel to MOWAA.

He clarified that neither the Edo State Government nor the State House of Assembly was listed as a party in the suit.

Since the legal action does not involve the EDHA or the state government, he said the committee will proceed to submit its findings based on the documents provided by all relevant parties.

Meanwhile, the Ad-hoc Committee investigating the financing of the Radisson Blu Hotel project has directed Mr. Bernard Aigbe, Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Finance, to present verifiable documents detailing the exact amount of money committed to the hotel’s construction at the committee’s next sitting on Wednesday.

During the hearing on payments made toward the Radisson Blu project, the Majority Leader of the House and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Jonathan Ibhawum, stated that the documents earlier submitted by the Permanent Secretary were not sufficiently detailed to explain the funds allocated to the project.

Also, a member of the committee, Hon. Addeh Isibor, questioned the rationale behind signing off on several financial documents that ceded 20% equity in the hotel project to the state government after paying over N20 billion to River Jameson, a private entity, which now holds 80% equity despite reportedly making no financial contribution to the project.