The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reiterated his administration’s uncompromising commitment to transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity in the ongoing controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), stressing that the state is not at war with investors but will not hesitate to prosecute any wrongdoing uncovered in the project.

Governor Okpebholo gave the assurance yesterday while receiving the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City.

Addressing the issues that have trailed the project, the governor expressed concern that his administration was deliberately excluded from crucial information and developments, including the arrival of foreign delegates for what he described as a questionable commissioning ceremony.

“I didn’t want to speak publicly on this again, but the time has come to state the facts,” he said. “At the end of the day, there will be criminal prosecution on this matter. We are not fighting investors. Our duty is to protect Edo State and, by extension, Nigeria. There will be no hiding place for criminals in our land.”

In her remarks, Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa commended Edo State for its historic and ongoing contributions to Nigeria’s cultural identity, praising the intellectual heritage of the Edo people and the global significance of Benin’s cultural legacy.

The minister acknowledged the federal government’s awareness of the MOWAA issues and pledged a collaborative approach to resolving what she termed “an original sin” that must be addressed to restore dignity to traditional institutions and safeguard Nigeria’s international cultural reputation.”

In a related development, the immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has denied scamming the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, on the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

Obaseki said he was never a Trustee of MOWAA nor did he accompany MOWAA to solicit for funds.

Speaking in an interview monitored by our correspondent, Obaseki said the Benin Royal Museum was part of the plan to build a cultural district including the MOWAA Institute.

He said the quality of people who gave MOWAA’s money were not stupid but people who control billions of dollars and knew why they were giving out money and for what purposes.

According to him, “You mean the donors will not read about who they want to give money to or they will not understand the purpose. I cannot speak for MOWAA because I didn’t go with them to raise money. When they asked for our support, we gave them.

“There is a plan for a cultural district for the Benin Masterplan. There was supposed to be a plan that would redefine the city centre. You had the MOWAA Institute, the Rain Forest Gallery, the 1897 memorial, the National Museum, and the Royal Museum. All these things have been planned for. The Oba told me he has acquired land for the purpose and we said we will support the project and any activity that promotes Edo as a cultural hub.” (The Nation)