The Edo State House of Assembly has escalated its confrontation with former Governor Godwin Obaseki, threatening to issue arrest warrants against him and several of his former officials for their refusal to appear before an investigative committee.
The Ad-hoc Committee, which is probing the funding and ownership of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the Radisson Hotel projects in Benin City, stated it has the constitutional power to compel attendance.
The probe was initiated following a request by the incumbent governor, Monday Okpebholo, to investigate the state’s alleged investment of ₦3.8 billion in MOWAA and ₦28 billion in the hotel project.
Chairman of the committee, Addeh Isibor, revealed on Thursday that Obaseki and other invitees had sent letters through their lawyers declining to appear, citing ongoing lawsuits related to the matter.
The list of those who snubbed the invitation includes former Finance Commissioner Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney-General Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, and representatives of the companies involved in the projects.
Isibor dismissed the excuse, asserting that the committee’s fact-finding mission cannot be stalled by litigation. “The mere filing of a suit in court cannot amount to a stay of proceedings. They ran to court after we commenced the public hearing. No judge can stop our sitting,” he declared.
He criticised the lawyers’ letters as “empty” and lacking attached court documents, suggesting the legal action was a rushed tactic to obstruct the investigation. “They want to stop this committee from getting to the root of the matter,” Isibor asserted.
The committee chairman issued a stern warning, reminding all parties of the assembly’s authority. “We are constitutionally mandated to carry out this investigation. The committee has the power to ask the police to bring those concerned here,” he stated, making clear that arrest warrants are the next step should the invited individuals continue their absence.
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