Oxford University can return almost 100 artifacts looted by British colonial troops. in 1897, after Nigeria requested repatriation. of cultural items this is year.
97 items, including bronzes, were removed from Benin City by British troops. currently held in collections of Pitt Rivers Museum and Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
Pitt Rivers Museum Sued for Return of in items from the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).
The Oxford University Council has decided support claim to be reviewed by the charity commission prior to return of Artifacts may be allowed.
The university said it expects the application to be reviewed by the fall.
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Oxford University said: “On January 7, 2022, the Pitt Rivers Museum received a lawsuit from the National Commission. for Museums and monuments, Nigeria, for Return of 97 objects in the Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean Museum collections removed from Benin City by the British armed forces. in 1897
“The application is now being processed by the university in accordance with its procedures. for claims for Return of cultural objects.
June 20, 2022 Council of university of Oxford considered and supported the claim for return to Nigeria of 97 objects.
“Now the university is referring the case to the Charity Commission, recommending a transfer of ownership of objects in NCMM.
“The charity commission is expected to consider the claim by the fall of 2022.
“As one of several museums in the UK, which contain significant materials taken from Benin in 1897 Pitt Rivers was involved in long-term research and cooperation projects in partnership with Nigerian stakeholders and representatives of the royal court of Kingdom of Benin.
“Since 2017, the museum has been a member of Benin Dialogue Group and played leading role in discussions on in future care of collections”.
