By Jethro Ibileke
The crisis rocking the construction of the Museum of West African Art, MOWAA, in Benin, Edo State, took a new dimension on Monday, with the revocation of its Certificate of Occupancy by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
Okpebholo, in the letter dated October 21, 2025, and titled: “Land use decree 1978: Revocation of statutory rights of Occupancy pursuant to section 28 and 38, 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 is for overriding public interest, is to be returned to the State Central Hospital, which he described as a heritage, as it has existed for over 100 years.
The letter read 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, SEN. MONDAY OKPEBHOLO, the Governor of Edo State of Nigeria, hereby revokes the Statutory Right of Occupancy granted to EDO MUSEUM OF WEST AFRICA ART TRUST (EMOWAA) LTD/ GTE for overriding public interest that is, to be given back to Central Hospital, which is a heritage for the state as it has existed for over a 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 28th day of November, 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 EDO MUSEUM OF WEST AFRICA ART TRUST (EMOWAA) LTD/GTE”, he said.
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