Edo threatens Obaseki arrest over controversial museum, hotel

Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki

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The Edo State House of Assembly ad hoc committee set up to investigate the Museum of West African Art and Radisson Hotel on Thursday said it has the power to issue an arrest warrant for former Governor Godwin Obaseki for refusing to appear before it.

The committee was constituted following a request by Governor Monday Okpebholo for the assembly to probe the funding and ownership of the projects, including the extent of the government’s N3.8bn investment in MOWAA and N28bn in the Radisson Hotel.

Management of MOWAA had earlier declined to appear before the committee.

But the committee said it had the authority to ask the police to bring any individual before it to answer questions.

Other persons invited by the committee were former finance commissioner, Mr Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney General, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, Managing Director of Tilbury House Nigeria Limited, Mr Pramod Thorat, Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company, Mr Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director of Afrinvest Capital Limited, Managing Director of Meristem Trustees Limited, and Managing Director of Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd.

The committee stressed that those declining to appear could not claim their right to a fair hearing had been denied.

Chairman of the committee, Addeh Isibor, who spoke at a resumed sitting, said Obaseki and others sent letters through their lawyers, stating reasons for their absence.

Obaseki cited lawsuits filed in various courts against MOWAA as justification for not attending.

Angered by the actions of Obaseki and others, Isibor said the committee was on a fact-finding mission and not a witch-hunt, insisting its report would be based on facts.

He said, “These gentlemen have unilaterally chosen to absent themselves, citing court cases regarding our sitting or issues under consideration.

“We know the position of the law. We are not dunces but cerebral people. We are constitutionally mandated to carry out investigations or hearings on any matter to which we have the power of appropriation.

“The mere filing of a suit in court cannot amount to a stay of proceedings. They ran to court after we commenced the public hearing.

“No judge can stop our sitting. We will reach a decision on the matter. If you choose not to make yourself available, you cannot claim you were refused the right to a fair hearing.

“It is more offensive that none of the SANs attached court processes to the letters. They know they rushed to court at midnight. These are empty letters. They want to stop this committee from getting to the root of the matter.

“We reject the letters as lacking in merit. The Edo Assembly is not a party to the suit. The committee has the power to ask the police to bring those concerned here.

“We have no letter stopping the committee from completing its assignment.”

The PUNCH reports that an exhibition at the museum turned chaotic on November 9, 2025, as angry protesters stormed the venue, forcing a high-profile event to shut down abruptly.

The preview opening, described as a private exhibition for investors, artists, and foreign envoys, quickly descended into panic when a mob claiming the museum belonged to the Oba of Benin breached parts of the premises.

Viral footage later showed fear-stricken foreign dignitaries being evacuated under tight security.

The ambassadors of the European Union, Germany, and other international guests were reportedly trapped for a time by the protesters, sparking concerns about their safety.

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