The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned N279 million in recovered funds to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts (formerly the National Theatre), ending a legal battle against contract inflation and misappropriation that dates back to 2009.
The handover ceremony was held at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi, marking a significant victory in the Commission’s mandate to restore stolen public assets to their original institutions.
The recovery stems from a 2009 petition filed by the then-General Manager of the National Theatre, Kabir Yusuf, against Prince Benjamin Apugo and others.
The petition alleged foul play regarding a N299.7 million contract awarded for sand filling, land reclamation, and the construction of five gates at the iconic Lagos landmark.
EFCC investigations uncovered a series of financial irregularities involving the former Acting General Manager, Yusuf Ahmed Atai.
Investigators found that Atai released N334.2 million to the contractor, exceeding the contract value by more than N34.5 million.
Despite the full payment, the contractor completed only a portion of the project valued at N55.9 million.
Further findings showed that work worth N243.8 million remained unexecuted, in addition to the excess payment that had not been refunded.
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Following a court prosecution, the defendant was compelled to forfeit a total of N279 million, which was recovered in instalments on behalf of the culture centre.
Representing EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, issued a stern warning to the management of the Wole Soyinka Centre regarding the future of the funds.
“We cannot suffer to recover this money for you and then have it used for purposes other than what it is meant for,” Kaltungo stated.
“Our eagle eyes will be watching the pace of work. Do not tamper with the recovered funds. Use them for the benefit of Nigeria.”
The Commission announced it would conduct periodic inspections to monitor the progress of the projects for which the funds have been earmarked, emphasising that the Nigerian public demands transparency in the use of recovered loot.
Receiving the bank drafts, Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts at the Centre, praised the EFCC’s tenacity, describing the agency as one of the most reliable law enforcement bodies in the country.
He assured the Commission that the N279 million would be deployed judiciously to enhance the facility’s infrastructure.
This handover coincides with the ongoing transformation of the National Theatre into a modern creative hub, now named after Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, as part of the Federal Government’s effort to revitalise Nigeria’s creative economy.
