EFCC returns N279m to Wole Soyinka Centre

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N279 million to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Theatre, Lagos, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat corruption and recover misappropriated public funds.

The handover ceremony took place on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi. The recovered funds stem from a 2009 petition by Kabir Yusuf, former General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre, against Prince Benjamin Apugo and others. The petition alleged that a contract worth N299.7 million had been awarded to Techno Exportstroy Nig. Limited for the construction of five gates, sand filling, and reclamation works, but investigations revealed that only N55.9 million worth of work was executed.

Further findings showed that Yusuf Ahmed Atai, acting as General Manager of the National Theatre at the time, had released N334.2 million to the contractor, exceeding the contract sum by N34.5 million. The contractor failed to execute the full work and did not refund the excess payment, prompting EFCC to charge the suspect to court. During the trial, N279 million was recovered from the defendant for the complainant.

At the ceremony, EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, represented by ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, urged the management of the Wole Soyinka Centre to use the funds judiciously. He emphasized that the Commission would monitor the utilization of the recovered money to ensure it is spent 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. 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 said.

Receiving the bank drafts on behalf of the Centre, Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts, expressed gratitude to the EFCC and assured that the funds would be managed responsibly. “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 the money will be used judiciously,” he said.