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The Edo State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Museum of West African Art and the Radisson Hotel projects has warned that it may issue arrest warrants for former Governor Godwin Obaseki and several others who have failed to honour its summons.
The committee was set up at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo to review the funding and ownership structure of the two projects. At its sitting on Thursday, the committee stressed that it has the legal authority to direct the police to compel the appearance of anyone required to provide clarification.
Among those invited are former Finance Commissioner Joseph Eboigbe; former Attorney-General Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi; Managing Director of Tilbury House Nigeria Limited, Pramod Thorat; Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company, Ugochukwu Anigbogu; and the Managing Directors of Afrinvest Capital Limited, Meristem Trustees Limited, and Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd.
The investigation centres on the alleged investment of ₦3.8 billion in MOWAA and ₦28 billion in the Radisson Hotel project.
Committee Chairman Addeh Isibor disclosed that the invited individuals sent letters through their lawyers declining to appear, citing ongoing court cases. He emphasised that the committee’s purpose is purely to uncover facts, not to victimise anyone, and that its final report will reflect verifiable findings.
He said, “These individuals have chosen not to appear before us, claiming there are court cases connected to our proceedings. We understand the law. We are empowered by the Constitution to investigate any issue related to public funds.
“The fact that a suit has been filed does not automatically halt our work. They approached the court after we had already begun the public hearing. No judge can stop us from sitting. If anyone chooses to stay away, they cannot later claim they were denied the right to a fair hearing.
“It is even more concerning that none of the senior lawyers attached the supposed court documents. They know they rushed to court at midnight. These are empty letters.
“It is clear they want to hinder this committee from uncovering the truth. We reject their letters because they hold no merit. The Assembly is not a party to the suit.
“This committee has the authority to request police intervention to bring those involved before us. We have received no directive stopping us from completing our mandate.”
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