The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N279 million recovered from a contract fraud case to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Lagos, formerly known as the National Theatre Lagos.
The funds were officially presented on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 office in Ikoyi. The recovery forms part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to retrieve misappropriated public funds.
According to the anti-corruption agency, the case originated from a petition submitted in 2009 by Kabir Yusuf, the former General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre. The petition accused Prince Benjamin Apugo and others of irregularities in the award and execution of a contract.
Investigations revealed that a contract worth N299.7 million was awarded through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to Techno Exportstroy Nig. Limited for the construction of five gates, as well as sand filling and land reclamation works at the National Theatre complex.
The EFCC disclosed that Yusuf Ahmed Atai, who served as Acting General Manager of the theatre at the time, approved a payment of N334.2 million to the contractor — exceeding the approved contract value by more than N34.5 million.
Further findings showed that the contractor only carried out work valued at about N55.9 million, leaving a large portion of the project unexecuted while the excess payment remained unrecovered.
Following prosecution in court, the commission was able to recover N279 million from the defendant during the trial process on behalf of the complainant.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, represented by Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reaffirmed the commission’s determination to ensure that stolen public funds are returned and properly utilised.
He urged the management of the cultural centre to ensure that the recovered money is used strictly for its intended purpose, stressing that the commission would closely monitor how the funds are spent.
Olukoyede also noted that the EFCC would periodically assess the progress of projects funded with the recovered money to ensure transparency and accountability.
Receiving the bank drafts on behalf of the centre, Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts at the National Theatre, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for the recovery and assured that the funds would be put to proper use for the benefit of the institution and the country.
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