The Edo State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee investigating the controversies surrounding the Museum of West African Art, MOWAA, has officially concluded its public inquiry, marking a significant step toward unraveling the complex financial and administrative issues tied to the project.
Chairman of the committee, Mr. Addeh Isibor, announced during Monday’s public hearing in Benin that the panel’s final report would be presented to the House the following week.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the probe has drawn considerable public interest, given its links to donor funding, state expenditure, and the ownership structure of the museum project.
During the hearing, the Accountant General of Edo State, Mr. Julius Anelu, revealed that the government released N3.8 billion between March 2022 and April 2024 as its counterpart contribution to MOWAA.
The funding was expected to attract $18 million—about N27 billion—from international donors and investors.
However, when questioned by lawmakers, Anelu disclosed that his office had no record indicating that the anticipated donor funds were ever received.
He stated that no receipt, voucher, or confirmation document from international partners was submitted to the Treasury.
He further clarified that one of the project’s early vouchers, worth N800 million, had been included in the 2022 state budget, while subsequent payments went to MOWAA and the Legacy Restoration Trust.
The committee also received a detailed oral and video submission from Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, representing the Benin Royal Family.
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He alleged that the original Benin Royal Museum initiative was “hijacked” by the immediate past administration and rebranded as MOWAA, a move he said created confusion among international partners and affected donor confidence.
According to Erediauwa, several donors initially believed the project had direct endorsement from the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. Donor interest reportedly declined once they discovered discrepancies in the project’s governance and control structure.
He urged the committee to widen its investigation beyond Edo-based actors to include collaborators outside the state.
In his closing remarks, Isibor informed the House that MOWAA representatives declined invitations to appear before the committee on two separate occasions, despite selecting a preferred date themselves. Consequently, the committee will rely mainly on the documents submitted by the organisation.
In a related development, the Assembly’s Ad-hoc Committee probing the Radisson Blu Hotel project expressed concern over over N20 billion reportedly paid to River Jameson, a private entity holding 80 percent equity, despite allegedly making no financial contribution.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance was directed to produce more detailed documentation, while additional stakeholders were summoned for further clarification.
The committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report to the House after final deliberations.
NAN
