Manny Ita-
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over the sum of ₦279 million recovered from a corruption case to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre Lagos, as part of efforts to return misappropriated public funds to government institutions.
The handover ceremony took place on Friday at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi, Lagos. According to a statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the recovery followed investigations that began in 2009 after a petition was submitted by Kabir Yusuf, a former General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre.
The petition alleged that a contract worth ₦299,707,828 was awarded through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to Techno Exportstroy Nigeria Limited for the construction of five gates, sand filling, and reclamation works at the National Theatre complex.
Investigations later revealed that Yusuf Ahmed Atai, who served as Acting General Manager of the National Theatre at the time, released ₦334,229,794.24 to the contractor, exceeding the original contract sum by ₦34,521,966.
The EFCC said further findings showed that the contractor executed work valued at only ₦55,910,744, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦243,799,132.25 in unexecuted work, while the excess payment of ₦34,521,966 was also not refunded.
“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 suspect also failed to refund the excess payment of ₦34,521,966.00,” the statement said.
The agency added that following the completion of investigations, the suspect was charged to court for prosecution and a total of ₦279 million was eventually recovered from the defendant during the trial on behalf of the complainant.
Speaking during the ceremony, EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, who was 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 and properly utilised.
“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.
“Nigerians have always sought to know what the Commission does with recovered funds,” he added.
Kaltungo also stated that the anti-graft agency would periodically inspect projects funded with the recovered money to ensure transparency and accountability.
“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 Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, the Head of Finance and Accounts, Jatto Kabiru, commended the EFCC for the recovery and assured the Commission that the funds would be used appropriately.
“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.
The cultural facility was renamed in July 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.
The renovation of the centre was funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, while the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy provided policy direction for its transformation into a national hub for Nigeria’s creative industries.
