The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N279 million recovered from a fraud case to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, Lagos.
The handover took place on Friday during a ceremony at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 office in Ikoyi.
According to the Commission, the recovered funds were returned as part of its ongoing efforts to combat corruption and ensure that misappropriated public funds are restored to the appropriate institutions.
The EFCC explained that the case dates back to 2009, when Kabir Yusuf, then General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre, submitted a petition alleging misconduct by Prince Benjamin Apugo and others over a contract project at the complex.
The petition revealed that a contract worth N299,707,828 was awarded through the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to Techno Exportstroy Nigeria Limited for the construction of five gates, as well as sand filling and land reclamation works at the National Theatre complex.
However, investigations by the EFCC showed that Yusuf Ahmed Atai, who served as Acting General Manager of the National Theatre at the time, approved and released a total payment of N334,229,794.24 to the contractor—an amount N34,521,966 higher than the approved contract sum.
Further findings revealed that the contractor executed work valued at only N55,910,744, leaving a significant portion of the project incomplete, with an outstanding unexecuted balance of N243,799,132.25.
Investigators also discovered that the excess payment of N34,521,966 made to the contractor was never refunded.
Following the investigation, the suspect was arraigned in court and prosecuted.
During the court proceedings, the EFCC successfully recovered N279,000,000 from the defendant on behalf of the complainant.
The recovered funds were subsequently returned to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to accountability and the recovery of looted public funds.
He also urged the management of the Centre to ensure that the recovered money is properly utilized for its intended purpose.
“We cannot suffer to recover this money for you and then have it used for purposes other than what it is meant for after receiving it from us.
“We have already asked you to tell us what you intend to do with it, and you should know that we will keep an eye on how it is utilised. Nigerians have always sought to know what the Commission does with recovered funds,” He said.
He further explained that the Commission would regularly check the project where the funds would be used.
“We will be visiting from time to time to monitor the progress of work. Our eagle eyes will be watching the pace of work. Do not tamper with the recovered funds. Use them for the benefit of Nigeria and all of us,” he added.
While receiving the bank drafts on behalf of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, the Head of Finance and Accounts of the National Theatre, Jatto Kabiru, thanked the EFCC for its efforts in recovering the money.
He also assured the commission that the funds would be used properly.
“We are most grateful for this remarkable feat of recovering this amount of money for us. The EFCC is one of Nigeria’s most effective and reliable law enforcement agencies. I assure you that the money will be used judiciously,” he said.