The Edo State House of Assembly has deepened its investigation into the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and Radisson Blu Hotel projects after uncovering major financial discrepancies linked to the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
According to documents submitted by the Accountant General, the state released a total of ₦3.8 billion between March 2022 and April 2024 as counterpart funding meant to attract $18 million in donor contributions for MOWAA. However, the Assembly says there is no record that the promised foreign funds ever reached the state treasury.
Auditors reported that there is no documentation, confirmation, or financial trail showing that Edo State received even a fraction of the supposed international support — raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the project’s financing.
Obaseki, Top Officials, Partners Summoned
To clarify these discrepancies, the House has summoned former Governor Obaseki, MOWAA Director Philip Iheanacho, and several senior members of his cabinet and partner institutions. They are expected to appear before the Assembly’s Ad-Hoc Committee on December 4, 2025.
Those invited include:
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Former SSG, Osarodion Ogie
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Former Commissioner for Finance, Joseph Eboigbe
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Former Attorney-General, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi
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MD, Tilbury House Nigeria Ltd
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HIMC Project Manager, Pramod Thorat
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MD, Afrinvest Capital Ltd
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MDs of Meristem Trustees Ltd and Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd
Lawmakers say their testimonies are critical to determining whether public funds were safeguarded and whether the PPP structure met legal and financial compliance standards.
MOWAA: Missing Funds, Land Disputes, and Royal Tensions
The committee’s probe goes beyond the missing donor funding. It has uncovered irregularities in how land belonging to the State Hospital was acquired for the museum complex, with suggestions that proper administrative procedures may not have been followed.
Cultural ownership is also a major issue. Members of the Benin Royal Family and palace-linked groups accuse the former administration of replacing the original Benin Royal Museum concept — intended to house repatriated artefacts from the 1897 invasion — with MOWAA, which they claim does not represent the Oba’s authority or cultural heritage.
This tension boiled over in November when protesters disrupted a MOWAA exhibition, forcing foreign dignitaries to exit the venue.
Radisson Blu: Billion-Naira Investment Under Scrutiny
The Radisson Blu Hotel project is facing its own investigation. Despite billions invested, preliminary findings show Edo State’s equity share dropped significantly over time. Lawmakers are questioning whether the state received fair value, what contractual terms governed the partnership, and how public funds were deployed.
The Assembly described the initiative as “opaque,” with several unresolved concerns around ownership transfers and the true cost of the project.
Assembly Pushes for Clarity and Accountability
Speaking after the last session, committee leaders said the December 4 appearances would help address public concerns and provide clarity on issues that have generated widespread debate.
The Assembly seeks answers to key questions, including:
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How the ₦3.8bn counterpart funding was used
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Whether the $18m donor commitment was genuine or exaggerated
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Why there is no record of donor inflows
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Who truly owns and controls MOWAA
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Whether Edo State lost equity value in the Radisson Blu project
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Whether hospital land was properly acquired
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Whether Edo’s cultural and financial interests were protected
The committee is expected to submit its final report soon after the hearings.
For now, the biggest question remains: How did Edo State spend ₦3.8 billion in pursuit of $18 million that never arrived — and who will be held accountable?