The Ad-hoc Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) investigating the controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), on Monday concluded its public inquiry and its final report is scheduled to be tabled in the House next week.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Addeh Isibor, revealed this during the public hearing, which is an important step towards resolving issues relating to 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 counterpart contribution to the MOWAA project.
He explained that the state’s contribution was aimed at attracting $18 million (approximately N27 billion at the time) from international donors and investors.
However, when asked by the committee if he had any record of the alleged N27 billion donor funds, the Accountant General responded in the negative, stating that his office did not receive any voucher, receipt or confirmation from foreign partners.
“Treasury is not aware of any income from international donors. We did not receive $18 million for the project,” he said.
Anelu also confirmed that the initial N800 million released for the project was duly allocated in the 2022 Edo State Budget.
He further clarified that one of the three payment vouchers was issued for 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 Royal Family of Benin, alleged that the immediate past governor and some associates “hijacked” the original project of the Royal Benin Museum with a view to retaining repatriated artefacts from Benin 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, the donors’ confidence allegedly decreased when they “discovered the true nature of the project’s control.”
Prince Erediauwa called for a thorough investigation, stressing that scrutiny should be extended to people outside Edo State, rather than focusing allegations solely on Benin stakeholders.
In his concluding remarks, the Hon. Isibor informed lawmakers that MOWAA representatives refused to appear before the committee on two separate occasions, despite selecting last Thursday as a convenient date.
However, he noted that the committee would rely heavily on documentary evidence voluntarily submitted by the MOWAA.
Addressing concerns over an originating summons filed by MOWAA before the Federal High Court, Abuja, Hon. Isibor acknowledged receiving a letter from Olayiwola Afolabi, SAN, counsel for MOWAA.
He clarified that neither the Edo State Government nor the state House of Assembly was listed as a party to the suit.
Since the legal action does not involve EDHA or the state government, he said the committee will proceed to present its findings based on 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, Edo State Ministry of Finance, to present verifiable documents detailing the exact amount of money committed for the construction of the hotel at the next session of the committee on Wednesday.
During the hearing on payments made for the Radisson Blu project, House Majority Leader and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Jonathan Ibhawum, stated that the documents previously presented by the Permanent Secretary were not detailed enough to explain the funds allocated to the project.
Likewise, a member of the committee, the Hon. Addeh Isibor, questioned the rationale behind the approval of several financial documents that ceded 20% equity of the hotel project to the state government after paying over N20 billion to River Jameson, a private entity, which now owns 80% equity even though it reportedly made no financial contribution to the project.