The immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has refused to appear before the State House of Assembly’s Ad hoc Committee investigating the funding and ownership of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu hotel
Obaseki, who was scheduled to testify on Thursday, stated that the matter is already before the court, making the Assembly’s invitation unnecessary.
The panel was set up following a request from Governor Monday Okpebholo to probe the projects, including the state’s financial involvement in MOWAA and the Radisson hotel. In addition to Obaseki, the Committee, through a letter signed by its Secretary, Bekisu Wilson, invited several other officials, including former Edo Finance Commissioner Joseph Eboigbe; former Attorney-General Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi; and the Managing Director of Tilbury House Nigeria Limited.
Others invited included Pramod Thorat, Project Manager of the Hospitality Investment and Management Company; Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director of Afrinvest Capital Limited; and the Managing Directors of Meristem Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd. The Committee said their attendance was essential for its investigative process.
Obaseki, through his media aide Crusoe Osagie, described the invitation as “offensive and laughable,” stressing that he could not be compelled to answer questions on a matter already sub judice. He added, “The Edo Assembly should understand how the law works. It is sub judice for the former governor to appear before the Assembly on an issue already in court. Why subject him to another round of questioning on the same issues?”
Similarly, MOWAA’s management declined to appear before the Committee. Its counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, argued that while the Assembly could make recommendations, the court has the authority to make final determinations on the matter.
Tensions surrounding the museum escalated on November 9, when an exhibition intended for investors, artists, and foreign envoys turned chaotic. Protesters claiming the museum belonged to the Oba of Benin stormed the venue, forcing the event to shut down. Viral footage showed foreign dignitaries, including ambassadors from the European Union and Germany, being evacuated under tight security after being trapped briefly by the protesters, raising concerns about their safety.
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