Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has given reason why he can’t appear before the Edo State House of Assembly Ad Hoc Committee set up to investigate funding and ownership of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and Radisson Blue Hotel, saying it would amount to subjudice.
Recall that the investigation comprise the extent of the state government’s N3.8 billion investment in MOWAA and N28 billion in the Radisson Blue Hotel.
Recall also that the legislative chamber had set up the panel due to a request by the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, urging it to probe funding and ownership of the projects.
Obaseki is expected to appear before the committee on Thursday.
In a letter signed by its secretary, Bekisu Wilson, the panel listed other persons invited to include former Edo Finance Commissioner Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, ex-Attorney General of Edo State Mr. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, and Managing Director, Tilbury House Nigeria Limited.
Others are Mr. Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director, Afrinvest Capital Limited; Mr. Pramod Thorat, Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company (HIMC), Managing Director, Meristem Trustees Limited and Managing Director, Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd.
The statement pointed out that attendance by Obaseki and others was required as part of the committee’s investigation.
However, speaking through his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, the former Edo State Governor noted that it was offensive and laughable for the assembly to invite him over a matter that was already in court.
While noting that the Edo Assembly should learn to know how the law works, Obaseki pointed out that he could not be subjected to answer separately on the same issue.
Management of MOWAA had equally refused to appear before the Edo Assembly Ad Hoc Committee.
The organisation, through its counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, maintained that the assembly could only make recommendations but that the court would make the final decision on the issues.