Tension Boils! Obaseki Risks Arrest As Assembly Demands Answers On MOWAA, Radisson Projects

The Edo State House of Assembly’s ad hoc committee probing the funding and ownership of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the Radisson Hotel has warned that it possesses the constitutional authority to issue an arrest warrant for former Governor Godwin Obaseki for failing to appear before the panel.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The committee was established following a request from Governor Monday Okpebholo, who called on the House to investigate the state’s ₦3.8 billion investment in MOWAA and the ₦28 billion Radisson Hotel project.

On Thursday, the committee expressed frustration after Obaseki and several other invitees failed to attend, sending only legal representatives who cited ongoing court cases as justification for their absence.

Chairman Addeh Isibor emphasized that the panel has the legal power to compel attendance and that pending lawsuits do not halt its proceedings.

“These gentlemen have unilaterally chosen to absent themselves, citing court cases related to our sittings or matters under consideration,” Isibor said during the committee’s resumed session. “We are not dunces; we are cerebral people. Our constitutional mandate is to investigate… The mere filing of a court case does not stop our work.”

He criticized what he described as attempts to obstruct the committee, noting that none of the lawyers submitted valid court processes with their letters.

“It is particularly troubling that none of the SANs attached court documents to their correspondence. These are empty letters designed to prevent this committee from uncovering the truth. We reject the letters as lacking merit. The Edo Assembly is not a party to the suit,” Isibor stated, adding that the panel reserves the right to involve law enforcement to ensure compliance.

In addition to Obaseki, other invitees include former Finance Commissioner Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney General Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, and representatives of companies linked to the projects, including Tilbury House Nigeria Ltd, Hospitality Investment and Management Company, Afrinvest Capital Ltd, Meristem Trustees Ltd, and Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd.

The investigation comes in the wake of a November 9 incident when a high-profile exhibition at MOWAA was disrupted by protesters claiming the museum belonged to the Oba of Benin. The event, intended for investors, artists, and foreign diplomats, was abruptly halted as security personnel evacuated dignitaries.

Video footage of the incident went viral, showing frightened guests, including European Union and German ambassadors, being escorted out under heavy security.