Eben Enasco Reporting.
The Edo State House of Assembly’s Ad-Hoc Committee has indicted former Governor Godwin Obaseki over the Museum of West African Arts, MOWAA, and Radisson Blu Hotel projects financial irregularities.
The committee who revealed its findings weeks after it was commissioned and completed its tasks, recommended a retake of ownership by the State government of the entire premises, urging the anti graft agencies to launch a probe.
During the period under review, notable individuals from the past administration were summoned to clarify their involvement in key projects.
Those who appeared before the committee include the Accountant General of the state, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance
Representatives from Emerging Africa Trustees Limited, Sharpurji Pallonji Ltd, Mar & Mor Ltd, and Ace Facades Ltd.
Their testimonies were part of the completed investigation.
The Ad-Hoc Committee disclosed that several individuals and companies, including DAA Architects, Fidelis Imiebiakhe, and former Governor Godwin Obaseki, failed to respond to invitations.
Investigations reveal Fidelis Imiebiakhe, who signed key documents for the failed transactions as Director in the Edo State Ministry of Finance, was never an employee of the state government or the ministry. He lacked authority to execute documents, rendering them invalid.
The said documents illegally signed by him according to the committee’s findings were the Escrow Agreement, the Share Subscription Agreement, the Stakeholders Agreement, and the Heads of Terms Agreement.
The committee suspected fraudulent activities.
Others on the list include: Afri Invest Capital, Cowric Assets Management Ltd, Former Commissioner for Finance, Joseph Eboigbe, Managing Director Tolbury House, Nnaeto Orazulike, Former Attorney General Oluwole Uzzi
The committee, however, moved forward with its investigation despite their absence.
Subsequently, the Ad-Hoc Committee’s investigation uncovered that the former Attorney General confirmed a N 20 billion investment in the Radisson Blu Hotel project. It added that, the state government purchased the property from Cable Rod Ltd for N2 billion.
He was said to have validated knowledge of a Bond taken out by the state government to raise funds for the completion of the hotel project where the bond yielded 17.5billion naira.
Despite his confirmation, he however, denied knowledge of any resolution reached by the State Executive Council authorizing the transfer of 80% of the ownership of Radisson Blu Hotel to any investor for N 10 billion leaving Edo State who funded the foundation of the project with a paltry of 20% of an investment of N 20 billion.
He also denied knowledge of the state house of assembly approving or transferring ownership of the Hotel complex to any investor
The Ad-Hoc Committees, led by Hon. Ibhawu Jonathan and Hon. Addeh Isibor, revealed in Benin City that the land allocated for the Museum of West African Arts MOWAA is still registered under the defunct Central Hospital, Benin City.
They added that the Edo State Government solely funded the construction with over N3 billion urging the anti graft agency to probe the alleged financial irregularities.
Hon. Ibhamawu Jonathan the
chairman Adhoc committee on Radisson Blu Hotel recommended that the state government collaborate with anti-graft agencies to recover N17.5 billion allegedly held by two escrow agents, Meristen Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.
Hon stated that, the main contractor, Shapoorji Pallonji Nigeria limited also confirmed that there was an olympic sized swimming pool already on the property
According to the findings, the building plan approval application by the ministry of finance was granted through a letter dated April 24, 2023, by the Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Uban and Regional Development and signed by Isoken Omo, the then Hon. Commissioner, clearly refered
to the Hotel as a built building.
This, he said, were void abinitio accusing the former governor Godwin Obaseki of breaching the conflict of interest by appointing his own company Afri Invest Capital as financial Advisors to the transaction as well as his close friend and business partner, Asue Ighodalo of Banwo & Ighodalo as legal advisers to the alleged fraudulent transaction.
On his part, Hon. Addeh Isibor Chairman, Adhoc committee on MOWA, said the title of the land on which MOWA Institute was built, is still in the name of the Central Hospital and was not revoked in line with the provision of the land use act.
In what he described as a clear case of conflict, he said, the Committee investigations revealed that, Phillip Iheanacho the director of MOWAA has been a long standing partner of the former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The committee learned that MOWAA did not pay any fund for statutory fee for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy contrary to the claim in clause 2.4 of the MOU in the $18 million dollars equivalent to N 27 billion which was declared contrasting to its audited financial statements provided
He urged the Edo State Government to immediately take over possession of the entire premises and take necessary steps to put the property in good use for the interest of the people.
Other adhoc committee members are Hon. Osamwonyi Kaycee, Hon Andrew Uzamere, Hon. Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene, Hon. Aghedo Sunday, Hon. Ojiezele Sunday, Hon. Idaiye Yekini, Hon. Okogbe Donald, Hon. Okaka Allison and Hon. Lecky Mustapha.