The Musuem of West African Art (MOWAA) has said it was not in any form of contestation with the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

It said it never encroached on the jurisdiction of the Benin monarch.

Counsel for MOWAA, Olayiwola Afolabi, spoke in Benin City after hearing of the suit filed by Chief Osaro Idah (the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom), the Ogbakha-Edo and the Aiguobasimwin Movement.

The suit is asking the court to halt what the claimants described as an unlawful, provocative and destabilising attempt to undermine the Oba of Benin’s sacred authority.

He said the defendants filed a preliminary objection wherein it was argued that Chief Idah lacked the locus standi to institute the case.

Afolabi said a counter affidavit was filed by MOWAA that ‘’it is not fighting the Oba of Benin.’’

According to him, “nobody is fighting the Oba. We have our jurisdiction. We are not encroaching on the jurisdiction of the Oba.

“In view of the nature of the matter and the thinking that it will affect the interest of the Benin and everybody, the lawyers agree that we meet and see possibilities of ironing out some of the issues and resolve them if need be. We agree to come back in February.’’

On the refusal of MOWAA to appear before Edo Assembly Investigative Committee, Afolabi said the court’s decision superceded any recommendations by the Assembly.

“The law is clear. MOWAA has been sued by one of the parties also in the Assembly. There is no need to go to the Assembly Committee. There are separations of powers. Whatever they do, it is the court that will still sanction. If a case is in court, the Assembly cannot sit over it.

We attach the processes and serve them. House of Assembly is not a court of law. Having been aware that the Federal High Court is hearing the case, can the same Assembly that have lawyers to advise them still say they want to continue with the hearing?

“My client cannot appear before the Assembly.

“They can give their verdict. Whatever they give is still subject to the court. They can only give recommendations at best.

“It is better the matter is resolved amicably. There is no need for war in Edo over MOWAA. It is for the benefit of everybody. It is a multi-dollar project. This is why we should meet and resolve grey areas.” (The Nation)

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