FG to take possession of looted Benin bronzes

The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that in line with operative conventions and laws, it will take possession of the 1,130 looted Benin bronzes being expected from Germany.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Saturday in Lagos, addressed a news conference on efforts of the federal government to repatriate the looted artifacts around the world.

Mohammed was reacting to the controversy that had trailed who would take possession of the expected artifacts between the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II and the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki.

While the Oba wants the artifacts stolen from Benin palace in 1987 returned to a museum to be built within its premises, the governor prefers a private trust to take custody and manage them.

The minister, however, said the federal government was the entity recognised by international law as the authority in control of antiquities originating from the country.

“The federal government is aware of the widely reported controversy on who would take possession of the Benin bronzes when they are returned from Germany.

“Let me state clearly here that, in line with international best practice and the operative conventions and laws, the return of the artifacts is being negotiated bilaterally between the national governments of Nigeria and Germany.

“Nigeria is the entity recognised by international law as the authority in control of antiquities originating from the country.

“The relevant international conventions treat heritage properties as belonging to the country and not to individuals or sub-national groups,’’ he said.

The minister cited the 1970 UNESCO convention in its Article 1, which defines cultural property as specifically designated by countries.

He thanked Governor Obaseki for his commitment, as well as the Oba for sending the Benin Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Ezelekhae Ewuare, to be a part of the Nigerian delegation to Berlin. (NAN)