Benin, Edo – In a dramatic turn during a high-stakes legislative inquiry, the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has refused to appear before an ad hoc committee of the Edo State House of Assembly, citing an ongoing court case that renders the matter sub judice.

The committee, probing allegations of financial irregularities and mismanagement in the Benin City-based cultural project, wrapped up its public hearings on Tuesday, vowing to press forward with its report despite the absence.

The inquiry, chaired by Majority Leader Ade Isibor, stems from concerns over the handling of repatriated Benin artefacts and the state's N3.8 billion investment in MOWAA since 2022.

Critics, including representatives of the Benin Royal Palace, have accused former Governor Godwin Obaseki's administration of attempting to "hijack" the project originally envisioned as the Benin Royal Museum to control the influx of returned artefacts and donor funds.

MOWAA, dedicated to preserving Benin heritage art alongside modern and contemporary West African works, emerged from international efforts to repatriate looted artefacts from colonial-era collections. The project gained momentum through the Benin Dialogue Group, involving global institutions like the British Museum and German foundations.

However, tensions arose post-2021 when the organization split into two entities: one focused on the museum and another on related trusts.

The Federal Government, via a gazette, designated Oba Ewuare II of Benin as the custodian of returned artefacts, sidelining other groups like the Legacy Restoration Trust (LRT). Funding woes compounded the issues.

While Edo State released N3.8 billion as a counterpart contribution earmarked in the 2022 budget to lure $18 million (about N27 billion) from international donors, no such donor funds ever reached state coffers, according to testimony from Accountant General Julius Oseimen Anelu.

Anelu confirmed payments were made directly to LRT and MOWAA via vouchers but emphasized, "The Treasury is not aware of any income from international donors."

German funding, initially pledged, only materialized at the end of 2022 after the Benin Palace publicly disassociated itself from the project following clarifications communicated to international partners in London (2021) and Hamburg (2023).

Tuesday's session at the Edo Assembly chambers was marked by MOWAA's no-show, the second such instance.

In a letter from counsel Olayiwola Afolabi sighted by DAILY South Nigeria, the museum argued that attending would prejudice a pending suit at the Federal High Court in Benin City, where parallel probes by the Federal Government and House of Representatives are underway.

MOWAA had previously submitted documents demonstrating "genuineness and transparency," including proof that no international funds were solicited or received until organizational distinctions were clear in mid-2021.

The committee expressed "shock" at the snub but proceeded undeterred. Chairman Isibor asserted the assembly's "sacrosanct" oversight powers, dismissing the court case as irrelevant since neither the state nor the legislature are parties to the litigation.

"No court can override parliamentary scrutiny of executive funds," he declared.

Testimonies painted a picture of intrigue. Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, representing Oba Ewuare II, leveled direct charges against Obaseki, alleging the ex-governor renamed the royal museum as MOWAA to retain control over artefacts, eroding donor confidence once the palace's marginalization became apparent.

He also implicated former Culture Minister Lai Mohammed and ex-National Commission for Museums and Monuments Director Albert Tijani in defending LRT's controversial fundraising abroad using the Oba's name, claims the palace has vehemently denied.

Anelu's financial disclosures added fuel, revealing the state's hefty outlay without reciprocal international inflows, raising questions about the project's viability and accountability under Obaseki's watch.

The probe underscores deepening rifts in Nigeria's cultural sector, where repatriation efforts celebrated globally collide with local power struggles. International donors, drawn initially by the Oba's prestige, reportedly withdrew support amid the disarray, delaying what could have been a landmark for West African heritage.

Critics fear the controversy could further stall artefact returns, with over 5,000 Benin bronzes still held abroad. As the committee adopts its proceedings without MOWAA's oral input, it plans to submit a final report to the full House next week, potentially recommending audits, fund recoveries, or even referrals to anti-corruption agencies.

In a related development, another ad hoc panel on the Radisson Blu Hotel project summoned officials for Wednesday, signaling a wider scrutiny of Obaseki-era deals.

MOWAA, for its part, maintains the assembly's actions risk contempt of court, urging deference to judicial processes.

As Benin City, cradle of one of Africa's oldest kingdoms watches closely, the saga highlights the delicate balance between preserving history and navigating modern governance.