Edo Assembly Threatens Warrant Against Obaseki Over Museum, Hotel Probe

Edo Assembly Threatens Warrant Against Obaseki Over Museum, Hotel Probe

The Edo State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee probing the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the Radisson Hotel project has threatened to issue an arrest warrant against former governor Godwin Obaseki for failing to honour its invitation.

The Committee was constituted following a request by Governor Monday Okpebholo to investigate the funding and ownership structure of the projects, including the government’s investments of N3.8 billion in MOWAA and N28 billion in the Radisson Hotel.

During its resumed sitting on Thursday, the Committee said it has constitutional powers to enforce attendance and could direct the Police to produce anyone who refuses to appear before it.

Aside from Obaseki, the Assembly also invited former Commissioner for Finance, Joseph Eboigbe; former Attorney General, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi; and several private sector partners linked to the projects’ management.

Committee chairman Hon. Addeh Isibor said Obaseki and others wrote through their lawyers, citing pending lawsuits as reasons for their absence. He expressed displeasure, insisting the Committee’s mandate is purely fact-finding and not targeted at any individual.

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Isibor stated that the filing of a lawsuit does not automatically suspend legislative proceedings, noting that “the mere filing of a suit cannot amount to a stay of proceedings.”

He added that none of the Senior Advocates who wrote on behalf of the invitees attached any court order restraining the Assembly from continuing the probe. According to him, the committee reserves the right to seek police assistance if necessary.

Despite the absence of key invitees, the Committee said it will proceed with its investigation and submit its report based on available evidence.