Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability amid the escalating controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), warning that anyone found to have engaged in fraudulent activities will face prosecution.
Speaking on Friday while receiving the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, at the Government House in Benin City, the governor said the state would protect its interests without targeting legitimate investors.
Governor Okpebholo expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to keep his administration in the dark regarding key developments in the project, including the arrival of foreign delegates for what he called a “questionable commissioning ceremony.”
“I didn’t want to comment publicly again, but the time has come to state the facts,” he said. “At the end of the day, there will be criminal prosecution on this matter. We are not fighting investors; our duty is to protect Edo State and Nigeria. There will be no hiding place for criminals in our land.”
The governor disclosed that documents retrieved by the state showed significant alterations to MOWAA’s registration details just six days before his swearing-in — a development he described as suspicious. He added that the state government was not informed of expatriates’ arrival for the commissioning event, further raising concerns about transparency.
Minister Musawa, in her remarks, praised Edo State’s longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s cultural heritage, particularly Benin’s globally acclaimed artistic and historical legacy. She acknowledged the federal government’s awareness of the issues and promised a collaborative effort to resolve what she described as “an original sin” that must be corrected to restore dignity to traditional institutions and safeguard Nigeria’s cultural reputation.
She urged closer cooperation with the Benin traditional institution, saying: “We want to find a balanced solution that respects history, protects traditional institutions, and strengthens Nigeria’s global credibility. The federal government is willing to listen and support all efforts to bring lasting succour.”
The meeting was attended by top state officials, including the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilo, Esq.; Chief of Staff, Mallam Gani Audu; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Roland Otaru, SAN; and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua.
Governor Okpebholo assured that his administration would continue to uphold due process, defend the integrity of Edo State, and work with the federal government, traditional institutions, and stakeholders to ensure a transparent and credible resolution to the MOWAA dispute and other related matters.
