Inside Edo
Okpebholo receives Edo assembly report indicting Obaseki on Radisson Hotel, MOWAA projects
Written By: Ehioze Gilbert
25 Dec 2025 05:38 PM
Benin, Edo – In a significant development amid ongoing political transitions in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has received a detailed report from the Edo State House of Assembly that indicts former Governor Godwin Obaseki over alleged irregularities in the funding, ownership, and management of two major projects: the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu Hotel in Benin City.
The report stems from an investigation initiated by Okpebholo shortly after assuming office, following concerns over structural changes in the projects and substantial state investments that appeared to yield minimal ownership benefits for Edo State.
A five-member ad hoc committee, chaired by Hon. Addeh Isibor, was tasked with probing the initiatives, which were flagship developments under Obaseki's administration from 2016 to 2024.
According to the assembly's findings, the Edo State government under Obaseki invested approximately ₦3.85 billion in the MOWAA project, which was intended to promote West African arts and culture.
However, the committee highlighted that the land allocated for MOWAA, spanning 6.210 hectares remained legally titled to the Central Hospital in Benin City, with no formal revocation or compensation provided before certificates of occupancy were issued to entities like the Legacy Restoration Trust and MOWAA Trust.
The report also alleged conflicts of interest, noting that MOWAA's director, Phillip Ihenacho, was a long-time business associate of Obaseki through companies like Afrinvest, and that 55% of the state's shares in the related Benin Enterprise Park were illegally transferred to Amaya Real Estate.
For the Radisson Blu Hotel, the state reportedly spent over ₦28 billion, including an initial ₦2 billion purchase in December 2021 and additional funds sourced from a ₦17.5 billion bond.
Despite this, the committee rejected claims that Edo State held only a 10% stake in the hotel, deeming it "unacceptable" given the scale of public funding.
Further irregularities included a fraudulent deed of assignment and certificate of occupancy issued to Hospitality Investment and Management Company (HIMC), a firm linked to Obaseki's associates, without necessary approvals from the State Executive Council or the assembly.
The deals were described as "completely illegal" and "totally fraudulent," with no evidence of competitive bidding or proper oversight.
The MOWAA report contained 11 findings and three recommendations, while the Radisson probe yielded 13 findings and four recommendations.
The House of Assembly adopted resolutions urging the Okpebholo administration to;
Immediately take possession of both the MOWAA premises and the Radisson Blu Hotel, reverting titles to the state government.
Revoke the fraudulent certificate of occupancy issued to HIMC for the hotel.
Collaborate with anti-graft agencies to recover the balance of the ₦17.5 billion bond proceeds held by escrow agents Meristen Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Limited, including a full statement of accounts.
Engage competent professionals to complete the hotel's renovation and operationalize it for public benefit.
Utilize the MOWAA property in a manner that serves the interests of Edo residents, emphasizing its state-funded origins.
Speaker Blessing Agbebaku emphasized that the probe had "documented the facts" for posterity, providing a foundation for further action.
Upon receiving the report at Government House in Benin City, Okpebholo assured Edo residents that his administration would "fully implement" all recommendations to safeguard public investments.
He described the alleged 10% stake in the Radisson Hotel as "unacceptable" and vowed to forward the findings to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a deeper investigation into potential corruption.
"We need to ascertain if this is how business is done in Nigeria," Okpebholo stated, underscoring the need to recover misappropriated funds and ensure accountability.
The projects were launched under Obaseki to boost tourism and cultural heritage in Edo State. MOWAA aimed to house artifacts and promote regional arts, while the Radisson Blu was positioned as a luxury hospitality venture.
Obaseki, who served two terms, had previously touted the hotel's progress, inspecting it in 2024 and partnering with the international Radisson chain.
However, the probe was triggered by disputes over ownership and funding transparency following Okpebholo's election victory, amid a backdrop of political rivalry between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Obaseki's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obaseki has not publicly responded to the allegations as of this report.
The EFCC has yet to confirm receipt of the documents, but sources indicate a formal probe could follow.
This development underscores ongoing tensions in Edo's political landscape, with implications for governance, investment, and anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria's south-south region.
Residents await the implementation of the recommendations, which could reshape the fate of these multimillion-naira projects.
The report stems from an investigation initiated by Okpebholo shortly after assuming office, following concerns over structural changes in the projects and substantial state investments that appeared to yield minimal ownership benefits for Edo State.
A five-member ad hoc committee, chaired by Hon. Addeh Isibor, was tasked with probing the initiatives, which were flagship developments under Obaseki's administration from 2016 to 2024.
According to the assembly's findings, the Edo State government under Obaseki invested approximately ₦3.85 billion in the MOWAA project, which was intended to promote West African arts and culture.
However, the committee highlighted that the land allocated for MOWAA, spanning 6.210 hectares remained legally titled to the Central Hospital in Benin City, with no formal revocation or compensation provided before certificates of occupancy were issued to entities like the Legacy Restoration Trust and MOWAA Trust.
The report also alleged conflicts of interest, noting that MOWAA's director, Phillip Ihenacho, was a long-time business associate of Obaseki through companies like Afrinvest, and that 55% of the state's shares in the related Benin Enterprise Park were illegally transferred to Amaya Real Estate.
For the Radisson Blu Hotel, the state reportedly spent over ₦28 billion, including an initial ₦2 billion purchase in December 2021 and additional funds sourced from a ₦17.5 billion bond.
Despite this, the committee rejected claims that Edo State held only a 10% stake in the hotel, deeming it "unacceptable" given the scale of public funding.
Further irregularities included a fraudulent deed of assignment and certificate of occupancy issued to Hospitality Investment and Management Company (HIMC), a firm linked to Obaseki's associates, without necessary approvals from the State Executive Council or the assembly.
The deals were described as "completely illegal" and "totally fraudulent," with no evidence of competitive bidding or proper oversight.
The MOWAA report contained 11 findings and three recommendations, while the Radisson probe yielded 13 findings and four recommendations.
The House of Assembly adopted resolutions urging the Okpebholo administration to;
Immediately take possession of both the MOWAA premises and the Radisson Blu Hotel, reverting titles to the state government.
Revoke the fraudulent certificate of occupancy issued to HIMC for the hotel.
Collaborate with anti-graft agencies to recover the balance of the ₦17.5 billion bond proceeds held by escrow agents Meristen Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Limited, including a full statement of accounts.
Engage competent professionals to complete the hotel's renovation and operationalize it for public benefit.
Utilize the MOWAA property in a manner that serves the interests of Edo residents, emphasizing its state-funded origins.
Speaker Blessing Agbebaku emphasized that the probe had "documented the facts" for posterity, providing a foundation for further action.
Upon receiving the report at Government House in Benin City, Okpebholo assured Edo residents that his administration would "fully implement" all recommendations to safeguard public investments.
He described the alleged 10% stake in the Radisson Hotel as "unacceptable" and vowed to forward the findings to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a deeper investigation into potential corruption.
"We need to ascertain if this is how business is done in Nigeria," Okpebholo stated, underscoring the need to recover misappropriated funds and ensure accountability.
The projects were launched under Obaseki to boost tourism and cultural heritage in Edo State. MOWAA aimed to house artifacts and promote regional arts, while the Radisson Blu was positioned as a luxury hospitality venture.
Obaseki, who served two terms, had previously touted the hotel's progress, inspecting it in 2024 and partnering with the international Radisson chain.
However, the probe was triggered by disputes over ownership and funding transparency following Okpebholo's election victory, amid a backdrop of political rivalry between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Obaseki's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obaseki has not publicly responded to the allegations as of this report.
The EFCC has yet to confirm receipt of the documents, but sources indicate a formal probe could follow.
This development underscores ongoing tensions in Edo's political landscape, with implications for governance, investment, and anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria's south-south region.
Residents await the implementation of the recommendations, which could reshape the fate of these multimillion-naira projects.
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