[MSN] Nigeria. Benin National Congress (BNC), has alleged that artifacts valued at over $100 million have been stolen from the National Museum, Benin City, in the last 14 years.

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

Alamieyeseigha appears before Conduct Tribunal tomorrow
Uchechukwu Olisah, Benin City - 13.09.2007

A group, the Benin National Congress (BNC), has alleged that artifacts
valued at over $100 million have been stolen from the National Museum, Benin
City, in the last 14 years.


The group, which made the allegation in a statement made available to the
Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, called on President Umaru Yar'Adua to set up
what it called an "all stolen artifacts recovery panel"for the museum.


The statement, signed by the NBC president, Mr. Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, said
"as we speak, Benin objects stolen in the last 14 years from the custody of
Benin are in excess of $100 million.


"Right from the history of Benin Museum , there has been no reported case of
stealing, burglary or robbery. So, how come the original objects kept there
are now missing?"


According to the group, the need to make the matter public was as a result
of the alleged setting up of an in-house inquiry.


"The in-house inquiry, is provoking, diversionary and a cover-up arrangement
because it is a universal norm that a person or an agency cannot be a judge
in its own case," the group said.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/