Edo Assembly Report Alleges Mismanagement in MOWAA and Radisson Blu Hotel Projects, Ex-Governor Obaseki Faces Potential EFCC Scrutiny
Benin City, Nigeria — The Edo State House of Assembly has presented the outcome of its extensive investigation into two major legacy projects from the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki — the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu Hotel — concluding that serious questions remain about their funding, ownership and execution. The Assembly’s findings, delivered to Governor Monday Okpebholo, have sparked calls for anti-graft agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to take up the matter for deeper forensic scrutiny, with indications that Obaseki may soon be invited to answer to these issues.
The probe followed a formal request by Governor Okpebholo, who in October 2025 asked the Edo State House of Assembly to investigate the state’s investment in the two controversial projects, which together account for billions of naira in public funds. The legislature responded by constituting ad-hoc committees to conduct stakeholder interviews, review transaction documents, and assess whether public resources were properly deployed and accounted for.
In its final report, the Assembly lambasted aspects of both flagship investments, asserting that the state’s financial contributions were not adequately reconciled with documented evidence of donor inflows or legitimate contractual arrangements. Regarding MOWAA, which was originally envisioned as a world-class cultural institution, lawmakers reported that over ₦3.8 billion was invested by the state government, yet there was no credible proof of counterpart funding from supposed foreign or private donors. They also noted that the land on which the museum was constructed remained registered in the name of the former Central Hospital, raising questions about the legality of its acquisition and development.
The Assembly recommended immediate state action to reclaim and repurpose the property in the public interest, underlining the absence of clear evidence that MOWAA’s management held legitimate title or had demonstrated financial transparency. It further suggested that relevant agencies examine whether public assets were misapplied and whether statutory processes governing land use and capital investments were observed.
The situation surrounding the Radisson Blu Hotel project also drew sharp criticism. According to the report, Edo State’s equity participation — in excess of ₦28 billion through bond proceeds — was not adequately transferred into productive ownership as initially intended. The Assembly traced a balance of approximately ₦17.5 billion to escrow accounts managed by two trustees, but claimed the escrow agreement was not validly executed, potentially nullifying formal transfers of state interest. Lawmakers instructed Governor Okpebholo to work with anti-corruption agencies to recover the disputed funds and restore state ownership of the hotel property.
Governor Okpebholo has endorsed the Assembly’s recommendations and pledged that the findings would be acted upon in full. In comments accompanying the submission, he urged the EFCC to probe the circumstances of both projects, remarking that the sheer scale of investment and apparent irregularities warranted independent review. He also suggested that wider investigations into land matters during the Obaseki administration could be initiated under a commission of inquiry.
The Assembly’s conclusions have heightened political tensions in Edo State. Obaseki’s camp has previously rebuffed the Assembly’s invitation to testify, arguing that related matters were already before the courts and that subjecting him to separate legislative inquiry would be improper. His media aides described the questioning by lawmakers as duplicative of ongoing judicial processes and framed the controversy as politically motivated.
Obaseki — who governed Edo from 2016 to 2024 — had championed both MOWAA and the Radisson Blu project as emblematic of his administration’s drive to boost tourism, cultural heritage conservation, and economic development. The museum, in particular, was touted as a future hub for West African art and a magnet for international visitors. Some defenders of the former governor argue that the projects were structured with legitimate donor participation and that the state’s contribution was part of a broader strategic vision.
Critics, however, contend that the Assembly’s findings expose a troubling pattern of fiscal opacity that may have deprived the state of tangible benefits and raised questions about accountability. Civil society groups and legal experts have pointed to the need for thorough financial audits and transparency in state contracts, warning that unresolved irregularities could undermine public confidence in governance and investment frameworks.
The call for EFCC involvement marks a significant escalation, given the agency’s history of prosecuting high-profile corruption cases involving political figures. While the commission has the statutory mandate to investigate financial crimes and abuse of public office, any formal action against Obaseki would need to navigate legal protections afforded to former governors, as well as ensure that due process is observed.
Observers note that the developments follow a broader pattern of scrutiny of past administrations by the current Edo State government, which has emphasised asset verification and governance reform. In parallel to the MOWAA and Radisson Blu probes, there have been indications of further inquiries into land allocations and capital project execution across sectors.
The unfolding situation will likely draw intense attention from legal analysts, political stakeholders, and the public as Edo State authorities and federal agencies determine the next steps. If the EFCC proceeds with formal investigation and potential charges, it could set a precedent for accountability in state-level capital development initiatives.
For now, both supporters and detractors of Obaseki await clarity on how the EFCC will respond to the Assembly’s referrals and whether subsequent legal actions will materialise. Regardless of outcome, the report has underscored the complexities of governance, investment oversight, and the enduring demand for transparency in Nigeria’s public sector.
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