The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has been granted ownership and care of the returned Benin artefacts by the Federal Government in a gazette.
This was done in order to settle the disagreement between the king and the administration of Edo State about who should be the true keeper of the artefacts.
Government Notice No. 25 in the Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, No. 57, Volume 110, dated March 28, 2023, and entitled “Notice of Presidential Declaration on the Recognition of Ownership and an Order Vesting Custody and Management of Repatriated Looted Benin Artefacts in the Oba of Benin Kingdom,” ordered that “ownership of artefacts looted from the ancient palace of the Oba and other parts of Benin Kingdom be and is vested in the Oba”
Being the original owner and guardian of the history, legacy, and traditions of the people of the Benin Kingdom in the Edo State, it was further ordered that the Oba be given custody of the repatriation artefacts from wherever and whenever they are transported into Nigeria.
The gazette further said that “repatriated items may be housed within the Palace of the Oba or such other sites within Benin City, or another place that the Oba and the Federal Government of Nigeria may consider secure and safe.”
The Oba was additionally instructed to “be accountable for the management of any areas where the repatriation artefacts are domiciled or situated.”
It continued, The Oba shall cooperate with any recognised national or international institution to ensure the preservation and security of the repatriated artefacts for the benefit of humanity, and repatriated artefacts shall not be taken out of the designated custody without the written consent and authorization of the Oba, and upon such return, the artefacts shall first be inspected and authenticated by the Oba before they are accepted and restored to their designated custody.”
(PUNCH)
