The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N279 million in recovered funds to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, Lagos, as part of its continued efforts to recover misappropriated public funds.
The handover ceremony took place on March 6, 2026, at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi.
The case originated from a 2009 petition submitted by Kabir Yusuf, former General Manager of the National Theatre, against Prince Benjamin Apugo and others. The petition alleged irregularities in a N299.7 million contract awarded through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to Techno Exportstroy Nig. Limited for the construction of five gates, sand filling, and reclamation works at the National Theatre.
EFCC investigations revealed that Yusuf Ahmed Atai, then Acting General Manager of the National Theatre, approved a total payment of N334.2 million to the contractor. This exceeded the approved contract sum by N34.5 million.
Further findings showed that the contractor executed work valued at only N55.9 million, leaving N243.8 million worth of work uncompleted, while the excess payment of N34.5 million was also not refunded.
Following the investigation, the suspect was charged to court for prosecution. During the trial process, the EFCC successfully recovered N279 million on behalf of the National Theatre.
Speaking at the handover, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, represented by ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that public funds are recovered and properly utilized.
He urged the management of the Wole Soyinka Centre to apply the recovered funds strictly for their intended purpose and noted that the Commission would monitor their use.
L“We cannot recover this money only for it to be misapplied. You have informed us about the project it will support, and we will continue to monitor its utilization. Nigerians deserve transparency on how recovered funds are used,” he said.
Kaltungo added that the EFCC would conduct periodic inspections to track the progress of the project funded with the recovered money.
Receiving the bank drafts on behalf of the Centre, Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for the recovery and assured that the funds would be used responsibly.
“We are grateful to the EFCC for recovering this money. The Commission remains one of Nigeria’s most effective law enforcement institutions. We assure you that the funds will be used judiciously,” he said.