Benin Royal Museum Feud: Oba Ewuare II Accuses Obaseki Regime of Attempting to 'Mortgage' Ancestral Heritage

​-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

Benin City, Edo State – November 11, 2025 – The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, has leveled serious accusations against the immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki, claiming it secretly attempted to hijack the Benin Royal Museum project by rebranding it as the Museum Of West African Art (MOWAA) without royal assent.

​The Monarch made the forceful claims on Monday while hosting a delegation of European Union (EU) Envoys in his palace. Oba Ewuare II alleged that the former government mirrored the destructive actions of the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom by attempting to seize control of the kingdom's priceless cultural heritage.

​Allegations of Secret Funds and Structural Change

​According to the Oba, the Obaseki administration allegedly secured significant funding from international partners, including the German Government, under the pretense of building the Benin Royal Museum. He then questioned the sudden and unauthorized shift in the project's focus and name.

​"He collected money for the Benin Royal Museum — why the change to MOWAA," the Oba questioned, referencing video evidence he urged the delegation to watch.

​The Royal Father further disclosed that the former governor established a Legacy Restoration Trust with the alleged intent to wrestle control of the Benin Bronzes and related heritage away from the Benin Palace.

​"They brought me a document to sign to relinquish our rights. I refused. If I had signed, I would have mortgaged my ancestors’ legacy. Obaseki got angry because I said no," the Oba stated, adding that the former governor’s actions included demolishing homes and oppressing the Benin people, even drawing a parallel to the rule of Adolf Hitler.


​A Plea for Justice and Transparency

​Oba Ewuare II emphasized that the artifacts were looted from his ancestors, whose palace once extended to the present-day Government House. He commended the Netherlands Government for recently returning over 150 artifacts to Benin and urged the German government and other European partners to maintain justice and transparency in the ongoing matter.

​"Europeans are fair people. Please, don’t let anyone deceive you. The powers that were here used government authority to cheat you and cheat us," he appealed to the envoys.

​New Administration Takes Action

​The Monarch lauded the current state governor, Monday Okpebholo, for initiating steps to investigate the MOWAA controversy, including the establishment of a committee.

​"Please cooperate with our governor. He will uncover everything. I have left it all to him and to God Almighty. Let justice prevail so that our heritage and dignity can be restored," the Oba concluded.

​EU Responds: Dialogue and Partnership Sought

​Speaking to journalists after the courtesy visit, the European Union Ambassador, Gautier Mignot, acknowledged the discussions on the "MOWAA project and the recent misunderstandings," stating they shared views "in a spirit of dialogue and partnership."

​Mignot clarified that the European Union itself has no direct investment in MOWAA, though some member states, notably Germany, are involved.

​The German Ambassador, Dr. Annett Günther, reaffirmed Germany's commitment to its partnership with Edo State, which includes the significant return of over 1,200 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. She stressed that "MOWAA can only thrive in a peaceful and transparent environment," highlighting the need for resolution in the ongoing dispute.

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