Cambridge to return ‘looted’ African statue

CAMBRIDGE University is to return a looted bronze cockerel statue to Nigeria.

Jesus College set up a legacy of slavery group in 2019 to explore the ‘historical, legal and moral status’ of its ownership of the artwork, below. It concluded that the statue, which was looted by British colonial forces in 1897 and given to the college by the father of a student, belongs with the oba at the court of Benin.

The oba is head of the Eweka dynasty centred on Benin City in modernday Nigeria. He said: ‘We are indeed very pleased and commend Jesus College for taking this lead.’ The statue, which was removed from display in 2016, will be handed to Nigerian representatives at a ceremony on October 27.