Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued his strongest warning yet over the controversies rocking the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), declaring that anyone found culpable in alleged fraudulent dealings will be prosecuted, no matter how highly placed.
Receiving the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, at the Government House in Benin City on Friday, Governor Okpebholo stressed that his administration welcomes investors but will not tolerate secrecy, manipulation, or criminal conduct.
“I didn’t want to speak publicly again, but the time has come to state the facts,” he declared. “There will be criminal prosecution on this matter. We are not fighting investors; we are protecting Edo State and Nigeria. There will be no hiding place for criminals in our land.”
The governor expressed deep concern over what he described as deliberate attempts to sideline his administration from key developments in the MOWAA project, including the unexplained arrival of foreign delegates for a “commissioning” he said the state knew nothing about.
He revealed that documents obtained by the state show suspicious alterations to MOWAA’s registration records, carried out just six days before he was sworn into office.
According to him, those actions, coupled with the exclusion of the state from major decisions, paint a troubling picture of opacity that his administration is determined to unravel.
In her remarks, Minister Musawa praised Edo’s unmatched cultural heritage and acknowledged the federal government’s concern over the unfolding crisis. She described some of the actions surrounding MOWAA as “an original sin” that must be corrected to safeguard Nigeria’s global image and restore respect to traditional institutions.
“Sir, we want you and your fantastic team to work closely with the traditional institution that has been grossly wronged,” she said. “We must find a balanced solution that respects history and strengthens Nigeria’s international credibility.”
The meeting had in attendance the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and other top government officials, including the SSG, Umar Musa Ikhilo, Chief of Staff, Mallam Gani Audu; Attorney General, Roland Otaru, SAN; and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to defend the integrity of Edo State and uphold due process, vowing to work with the federal government, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent, just, and credible resolution to the MOWAA controversy.
“Edo people deserve the truth and they will get it,” he said.