• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over ₦279 million recovered from a fraudulent contract to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre in Lagos. The handover ceremony took place on Friday at the EFCC's Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 office in Ikoyi. According to a statement issued by the EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the recovery followed investigations into a contract awarded for projects at the National Theatre. The anti-graft agency disclosed that it received a petition in 2009 from Kabir Yusuf, a former General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre. The petition was filed against Benjamin Apugo and others over alleged irregularities in the award and execution of a contract worth ₦299,707,828. According to the EFCC, the contract was awarded through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to Techno Exportstroy Nig. Limited to the construction of five gates, sand filling and reclamation works at the National Theatre complex. However, investigations revealed that the then Acting General Manager of the National Theatre, Yusuf Ahmed Atai, authorised payments exceeding the approved contract sum. The Commission stated that Atai released ₦334,229,794.24 to the contractor, exceeding the original contract value by ₦34,521,966. "Further investigations showed that the contractor only executed work valued at ₦55,910,744.00, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦243,799,132.25 in unexecuted work," the statement said. The EFCC added that the suspect also failed to refund the excess payment. The anti-corruption agency explained that the suspect was subsequently arraigned in court following the conclusion of investigations. According to the Commission, the recovery of the funds occurred during the course of the trial. "Upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect was charged in court for prosecution. During the course of the trial, a total sum of ₦279,000,000.00 was recovered from the defendant on behalf of the complainant," the statement said. Speaking during the ceremony, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reiterated the Commission's commitment to ensuring that recovered public funds are returned to their rightful owners. He also cautioned the management of the cultural centre to ensure the money is used 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," he said. Kaltungo added that the Commission would continue to monitor the utilisation of the funds. "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. He noted that many Nigerians are interested in how the EFCC handles recovered assets. "Nigerians have always sought to know what the Commission does with recovered funds," he said. Receiving the recovered funds on behalf of the centre, the Head of Finance and Accounts, Jatto Kabiru, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for the recovery. "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," he said. "I assure you that the money will be used judiciously." Naija News recalls that the cultural facility was renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024 in honour of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka. The renovation of the centre was funded and supervised by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with the Bankers' Committee. The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy provided policy direction and oversight for the transformation of the facility into a major hub for Nigeria's creative industry. Source: https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/07/efcc-hands-over-₦279-million-recovered-funds-to-wole-soyinka-centre-warns-against-misuse/