FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Controversy trailing the ownership, operation and governance structure of the Museum of West African Art, MOWAA, in Edo State took a new turn on Monday, November 10, as Governor Monday Okpebholo revoked the organisation’s Certificate of Occupancy, C of O.
The letter for the revocation which was personally signed by the governor is dated October 21.
Okpebholo said the revocation was in line with Section 28 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 (now an Act).
He said the action, which was taken in the overriding public interest, was intended to return the property to Central Hospital.
The letter, titled ‘Land Use Decree 1978: Revocation of Statutory Rights of Occupancy Pursuant to Sections 28 and 38,’ reads in part: “Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Sections (28) 1 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 and by virtue of all other laws enabling me on that behalf, I, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Edo State of Nigeria, hereby revoke the Statutory Right of Occupancy granted to Edo Museum of West Africa Art Trust, EMOWAA, Ltd/GTE for over-riding public interest, that is, to be given back to Central Hospital, which is a heritage for the state, as it has existed for over 100 years, and it is in respect of all that property known and referred to as digital Plot No 61977, ZONE HI/A12/Ogboka, Benin City in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, measuring an area of approximately 6.210 hectares.
“The boundaries of which are described in detailed survey at the back of the Certificate of Occupancy dated November 28, 2022, which is registered as No 169 at Page 3 in Volume 45 now kept in EDOGIS Lands Registry at Benin City, Edo State in favour of EMOWAA Ltd/GTE.”
AljazirahNigeria recalls that there has been a series of controversy between the palace of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare 11, and the past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki over the ownership of the museum.
