Obaseki won’t appear before Edo Assembly panel, says aide

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

The former governor, who was scheduled to appear before the Committee on Thursday, stated that the matter is already before the court.

The Edo Assembly constituted the panel following a request by Governor Monday Okpebholo for a probe into the funding and ownership of the projects, including the extent of state government investment in MOWAA and the Radisson hotel.

In a letter signed by its Secretary, Bekisu Wilson, the Committee also invited other individuals, including a former Edo Finance Commissioner, Joseph Eboigbe; former Attorney-General of Edo State, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi; and the Managing Director of Tilbury House Nigeria Limited.

Others invited include Pramod Thorat, Project Manager of the Hospitality Investment and Management Company, Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director of Afrinvest Capital Limited, the Managing Director of Meristem Trustees Limited, and the Managing Director of Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd.

According to the Committee, the attendance of Obaseki and others was required as part of its investigative process.

However, Obaseki, in a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, described the Assembly’s invitation as “offensive and laughable”, insisting that it was inappropriate to invite him over a matter already pending before the court.

He said the Edo Assembly “should understand how the law works,” adding that Obaseki could not be compelled to answer separately on an issue that is already being adjudicated.

He said, “It is sub judice for the former governor to appear before the Edo Assembly on a matter already in court. Why subject him to another round of questioning on the same issues?”

The management of MOWAA has also refused to appear before the Ad hoc Committee.
Its counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, said the Assembly could only make recommendations, while the court has the authority to make the final determination on the issues.

The reports that an exhibition at the museum descended into chaos on November 9 when 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 turned chaotic when a mob claiming the museum belonged to the Oba of Benin breached parts of the premises.

Viral footage later showed terrified foreign dignitaries being evacuated under tight security.

The ambassadors of the European Union, Germany, and several other international guests were reportedly trapped for some time by the protesters, raising concerns about their safety

Culled from punch.