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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Edo State House of Assembly has inaugurated a 14-man ad-hoc committee to investigate the ownership status of two major projects initiated by the immediate past administration of former Governor, Godwin Obaseki-the Radisson Blu Hotel and the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA).
The move followed a letter from Governor Monday Okpebholo, dated Monday, October 20, 2025, requesting the Assembly to probe the projects and determine the extent of the state government’s ownership in each.
Announcing the constitution of the committee during Tuesday’s plenary session, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku said the Assembly resolved to split the team into two seven-member panels for a more detailed inquiry.
According to him, “The clerk read a letter on the floor of this House from the governor, asking the House to please investigate two important projects that were done by the previous administration. Those projects are the Radisson Blu Hotel and the MOWAA.
“For us to do a thorough job, as we said, we will announce the names of the members that will form the ad-hoc committee that will investigate those projects. The investigation should start immediately and report back to the house in one month.”
Hon. Jonathan Ibhawamau, the House Majority Leader and member representing Esan West constituency, will chair the committee probing the Radisson Blu Hotel project. Other members include Osamwonyi Kaycee (Uhunmwode), Addeh Isibor (Esan North-East I), Sunday Aghedo (Ovia South-West), Donald Okogbe (Akoko-Edo II), Sunday Ojiezele (Esan South-East), and Eric Okaka (Owan East).
For the MOWAA project, Hon. Addeh Isibor, the Deputy Majority Leader, was appointed chairman. The other members are Andrew Uzamere (Ovia North-East II), Jonathan Ibhawamau (Esan West), Eugene Ojie Inegbeboh (Igueben), Lecky Hussein (Etsako West I), Richard Edosa (Oredo West), and Yekini Idiaye (Akoko-Edo I).
Both committees were directed to commence investigations immediately and submit their reports within a month.