The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully returned N279 million to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, previously known as the National Theatre in Lagos, amidst an investigation into misappropriated public funds.
A statement released on X by the agency on Friday indicated that the funds were handed over at its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, located in Ikoyi.
The recovery of these funds originated from a petition submitted in 2009 by Kabir Yusuf, the former General Manager and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Theatre. The petition raised allegations against Benjamin Apugo and others involved in contract violations.
Yusuf alleged that a contract worth N299,707,828 had been awarded by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to Techno Exportstroy Nig. Limited for the construction of five gates, sand filling, and reclamation work at the Theatre.
Investigations revealed that Yusuf Atai, the acting General Manager at that time, released N334,229,794.24 to the contractor, surpassing the original contract amount by N34,521,966.00. However, only N55,910,744.00 of work was completed, resulting in an incomplete balance of N243,799,132.25, with no excess payment refunded.
In response to the petition, the EFCC recovered N279 million from the accused parties and returned it to the National Theatre. During the fund handover ceremony, Ola Olukoyede, EFCC Executive Chairman, represented by Acting Zonal Director and Assistant Commander I, Bawa Kaltungo, underscored the importance of transparency in public expenditure.
He stated, “We cannot dedicate efforts to recover this money only for it to be misused. We expect clarity on how it will be spent. We will monitor its utilization closely, as the Nigerian public is keen to know how recovered funds are managed.”
Olukoyede also pledged that the EFCC would routinely oversee projects financed with these recovered funds. He added, “We will be monitoring the progress regularly. Ensure that the recovered money serves the interests of Nigeria and its citizens.”
Jatto Kabiru, the Head of Finance and Accounts, received the funds on behalf of the Centre and expressed gratitude to the EFCC for their efforts. “We deeply appreciate this significant achievement of retrieving this money for us. The EFCC is one of Nigeria’s most efficient law enforcement bodies. I assure you that the funds will be utilized responsibly,” he remarked.
The National Arts Theatre, renamed to honor Wole Soyinka, underwent extensive restoration costing N68 billion, facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers’ Committee, and was reopened in 2024 to enhance the cultural and creative economy of Nigeria.
The Theatre has been a focal point for anti-corruption initiatives. In 2017, four directors were arrested by the EFCC due to alleged embezzlement and failing to remit revenue to the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
The EFCC has intensified its efforts in recovering misappropriated public funds, redirecting them towards social and governmental programs.
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