Obaseki To Shun Edo Assembly’s Probe Of MOWA, Radisson Blue Hotel

The immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has said that he would not appear before the Edo State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee set up to investigate the funding and ownership of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu hotel.

The two entities, it would be recalled, have become subjects of public debates across Edo State as the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo maintains that there were shady deals involved in the establishment of the two ventures. But Obaseki has vehemently denied any shady deals

The Edo Assembly set up the panel following a request by Governor Okpebholo that the Assembly should probe the funding and ownership of the projects, including the extent of the state government’s N3.8bn investment in the MOWAA and N28bn in the Radisson Hotel.

Obaseki, by the schedule of the Assembly, is billed to appear before the Committee on Thursday, December 4th, 2025.

The Committee had earlier, in a letter endorsed by its Secretary, Bekisu Oshone Wilson, listed other persons invited to include a former Edo Finance Commissioner, Mr Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney General of Edo State, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi and Managing Director, Tilbury House Nigeria Limited.

Others are Mr Pramod Thorat, Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company (HIMC), Mr. Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director, Afrinvest Capital Limited, Managing Director, Meristem Trustees Limited and Managing Director, Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd.

The statement said attendance by Obaseki and others was required as part of the committee’s investigation.

Obaseki, who spoke through his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, said it was offensive and laughable for the Assembly to invite him over a matter that was already in court.

The former governor counselled the Edo State House of Assembly to learn how the law works, adding that he could not be subjected to answering separately on the same issue.

“It is subjudice for the former Governor to appear before the Edo Assembly in a matter already in court.

“Why subject him to another round of questioning on the same issues?” The statement queried.

Meanwhile, the management of MOWAA had also refused to appear before the Edo Assembly Ad Hoc Committee.

Its Counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, said the Assembly could only make recommendations, but that the Court would make the final decision on the issues.

Source: TRIBUNE