Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has stated that he will not appear before the ad-hoc committee set up by the Edo State House of Assembly to investigate the funding and ownership of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu hotel.
The panel was established by the Assembly after Governor Monday Okpebholo asked lawmakers to examine the financing and ownership structure of the projects, including the state government’s reported N3.8bn investment in MOWAA and N28bn in the Radisson Hotel.
Obaseki was scheduled to appear before the committee on Thursday, December 4th, 2025.
According to a letter signed by the committee’s Secretary, Bekisu Oshone Wilson, the panel invited several others, including former Edo State Finance Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney General, Mr. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, and the Managing Director of Tilbury House Nigeria Limited.
Those listed also include Mr. Pramod Thorat, Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company (HIMC), Mr. Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director of Afrinvest Capital Limited, the Managing Director of Meristem Trustees Limited, and the Managing Director of Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd.
The statement explained that the attendance of Obaseki and the other invitees was necessary for the panel to carry out its investigation.
Speaking through his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki described the invitation as both offensive and laughable, insisting that the Assembly had no justification to summon him over a matter already before the court.
He added that the Edo Assembly ought to understand the proper workings of the law.
The former governor maintained that he could not be compelled to respond separately to an issue currently undergoing judicial consideration.
He said: “It is subjudice for the former Governor to appear before the Edo Assembly in a matter already in court.”
He further asked: “Why subject him to another round of questioning on the same issues?”
The management of MOWAA has also declined the Assembly’s invitation to appear before the ad-hoc committee.
Its counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, explained that while the Assembly may offer recommendations, only the Court has the authority to deliver the final judgement on the matter.
