The leadership of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has declined an invitation to appear before the ad‑hoc committee of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), which is investigating the funding, operations, and ownership structure of the controversial museum.
In a letter from their counsel, the museum said the matter is currently “sub judice,” pointing to a pending legal case at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The letter argued that a parallel investigation has been instituted by the federal government and the national legislature, making further public hearings before the state assembly redundant.
MOWAA contended that documents previously submitted to the Assembly already prove that all funding claims and administrative procedures were legitimate and transparent. According to the letter, no funds from any international donors were received until after 2021 when the organization redefined its mandate to focus on broader West African art rather than the artefacts formerly associated with the royal Benin heritage.
In response, the Assembly’s ad‑hoc committee chairman, Hon. Addeh Isibor, rejected MOWAA’s position. He described the committee’s mandate to examine state funds as sacrosanct immune from judicial stoppage and said the legislature would proceed with its review based on documentary evidence submitted so far.
The refusal sparked frustration among lawmakers: It was reported that MOWAA ignored two scheduled appearance dates. For now, the committee plans to rely on existing paperwork rather than oral testimony to draw its findings.
