The Edo State House of Assembly has opened a formal investigation into the operations, finances, and legal framework surrounding the Museum of West African Arts, MOWAA, following growing concerns about the project’s transparency and the handling of public resources.
The inquiry was launched on Thursday in Benin City by the Assembly’s Ad-Hoc Committee, which invited key stakeholders to provide testimony and clarify issues related to land allocation, funding, and institutional approval processes.
During the opening session, MOWAA’s representative, Afolabi SAN, requested additional time to thoroughly review documents submitted by his client for the probe.
The committee agreed to the request, noting that the investigation would rely heavily on detailed documentation and factual verification.
The Managing Director of the Edo Geographic Information Service, Tony Ikpasaja, informed lawmakers that 4.6 hectares of land initially earmarked for the state’s central hospital were later reassigned to MOWAA.
He noted that although the land was valued at about N33 million, it was handed over at no cost to the institution. Additionally, he revealed that the project received a separate N1 billion allocation.
Further scrutiny was directed at former Solicitor-General, Prof. Faith Osadolor, who signed the MOWAA agreement on May 14, 2024.
Committee members argued that the approval was granted without sufficient verification of the museum’s financial claims or the status of its pledged resources.
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Representatives of the Oba of Benin’s palace, led by Chief Osaro Idah, disassociated the palace from the project, describing processes surrounding MOWAA’s creation as questionable.
They rejected suggestions that the palace endorsed the arrangement, calling instead for a review of all agreements entered into under the previous administration.
A central point of contention was MOWAA’s declaration that it had raised N27 billion for the project.
Lawmakers pointed out that no concrete evidence had been presented to support the fundraising claim, and the committee criticized what it described as insufficient accountability.
Committee Chairman Addeh Isibor explained that the fact-finding mission aimed to determine the museum’s actual legal and operational status, clarify its governance structure, and establish whether due process was followed in the project’s execution.
He added that more stakeholders would be summoned as the investigation progresses.
Meanwhile, public opposition to the museum continues among sections of the Benin community. Earlier protests accused the former administration of sidelining traditional institutions by proposing that repatriated Benin artifacts be housed in the new facility rather than in the Oba’s palace.
The committee adjourned its sitting to Monday, Nov. 24, where further testimonies are expected.
