The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II says the Benin artefacts especially the Bronzes that were plundered by invaders of Benin Empire in 1897, were as priceless as the famous Crown Jewels of the British monarchy.

He declared that as nobody could suddenly wake up and attempt to lay claim to the ownership of Crown Jewels of the British assuming if they were ever, to be successfully taken away by the Romans, who ruled over them at some point in history, therefore the ownership of the heritage of Benin that are with private collectors outside Nigeria including Museums in Europe and America remains uncontroverted.

The Benin Monarch made the remark when he led members of Benin Traditional Rulers Council to visit President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja where he commended the Nigerian leader and other Stakeholders for their immersed support towards the repatriation of some stolen artefacts to its original place of abode.

“Mr. President I dare say that these artefacts, particularly Benin Bronzes and other Benin artefacts, may be likened to the Crown Jewels of the British Monarchy. Nobody could suddenly wake up and attempt to lay claim to their ownership, assuming if they were ever, to be successfully taken away by the Romans, who ruled over them at some point in history and, thereafter wished to return them to Britain”, he said.

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