Okpebholo revokes Museum of West African Art land certificate
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In a letter dated October 21, 2025, titled “Land Use Decree 1978: Revocation of Statutory Rights of Occupancy pursuant to Sections 28 and 38”, Okpebholo cited overriding public interest as the reason for the action.
By Jethro Ibileke
The ongoing controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Edo State, escalated on Monday as Governor Monday Okpebholo officially revoked its Certificate of Occupancy.
In a letter dated October 21, 2025, titled “Land Use Decree 1978: Revocation of Statutory Rights of Occupancy pursuant to Sections 28 and 38”, Okpebholo cited overriding public interest as the reason for the action.
The land is to be returned to the State Central Hospital, a heritage institution that has served Edo State for over a century.
The letter stated 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 enabling laws, I, SEN. MONDAY OKPEBHOLO, Governor of Edo State, hereby revoke the Statutory Right of Occupancy granted to Edo Museum of West Africa Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE for overriding public interest, to be returned to Central Hospital, a heritage of the state for over 100 years.”
“The revoked property, designated as Digital Plot No. 61977, Zone HI/A12/Ogboka, Benin City, covers approximately 6.210 hectares within the Oredo Local Government Area.
“Its boundaries are detailed in the survey attached to the Certificate of Occupancy issued on 28 November 2022, registered as No. 169, Page 3, Volume 45 at the EDOGIS Lands Registry in Benin City.”
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