Row erupts in Germany over restitution of Benin bronzes

Controversy erupted after Nigeria's outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari, suddenly declared in March that the artefacts would be returned to a traditional ruler -- and not to the Nigerian state, as Germany had expected.

In this file picture, an 'Altar group with a queen mother' (from Nigeria, Benin Kingdom, 18th-19th century, from unidentified collectors in Nigeria ca 1897 is displayed as part of an exhibition. AFP