Custodian of Benin Artefacts Not in Doubt, Oba of Benin Tells Netherlands Envoy

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has notified the Netherlands Government that the stolen Benin artefacts to be repartrated belonged to his palace.

For proper understanding, the Benin monarch drew the attention of the Dutch government to a Gazette published by the Federal Government of Nigeria, stating who should be in custody of the artefacts whenever they are brought back.

Oba Ewuare II, who made the clarification during a royal visit to his palace by Ambassador of Netherlands to Nigeria, Ambassador Wouter Pomp on the significance of Nigeria’s Presidential declaration, further noted that the recognition of ownership and an order vesting custody and management of repatriated looted Benin artefacts is on the Oba of Benin.

Recall that the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Notice No. 25 in the official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110 at pages A245-247, dated March 23, 2023 laid to rest, the simmering tussle over who to be the custodian of the artefacts.

To this end, he told the Ambassador of Netherland’s that the future of repatriated Benin Bronzes and artefacts are in the gazette.

The Oba noted that “They are spelt out clearly the ownership, custody, and management, which is vested in the Oba as an institution. That is the law”.

He emphasized that the ongoing plans for the construction of Benin Royal Museum Project at the instance of the Nigerian government is on course.

According to him, “It is a federal government project to build the Benin Royal Museum. We have been on it for some time now.”

Addressing the Benin throne earlier, the Ambassador doubted the the who should be in custody of the repartrated artefacts. 

He however, congratulated Oba Ewuare II for redirecting the course of history,  pledging his government support in strengthening the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the area of employment, forced migration and cultural diplomacy.

“We are very interested in all the history of the Benin Bronzes, some of which as you are aware are still in the Netherlands. 

Contacts are underway between Netherlands Commission for Monuments and the Commission for Monuments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“There has been meetings between the Commissions about the future of the Benin Bronzes”, Ambassador Wouter said.