EFCC Returns N279m Recovered Loot To Wole Soyinka Centre For Culture And Creative Arts

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over the sum of N279 million recovered from a contract fraud case to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre Lagos.

The handover ceremony took place on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi.

The recovery followed a petition submitted to the anti-graft agency in 2009 by Kabir Yusuf, former General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre, against Prince Benjamin Apugo and others. The petition alleged irregularities in the award and execution of a contract worth N299,707,828.00 for the construction of five gates, sand filling, and reclamation works at the National Theatre.

Investigations by the EFCC revealed that Yusuf Ahmed Atai, who served as Acting General Manager of the National Theatre, approved the release of N334,229,794.24 to the contractor, Techno Exportstroy Nigeria Limited. The payment exceeded the original contract sum by N34,521,966.00.

Further findings showed that the contractor executed work valued at only N55,910,744.00, leaving N243,799,132.25 worth of the project uncompleted. In addition, the excess payment of N34,521,966.00 was not refunded.

Following the conclusion of investigations, the suspect was charged to court for prosecution. During the trial, the EFCC successfully recovered a total sum of N279,000,000.00 from the defendant on behalf of the complainant.

Speaking during the handover, EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that stolen public funds are recovered and returned to their rightful owners.

He urged the management of the Wole Soyinka Centre to ensure the funds are used for the 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. Nigerians have always sought to know what the Commission does with recovered funds,” he said.

Kaltungo added that the EFCC would periodically monitor the project for which the funds would be deployed.

“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, Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts of the institution, commended the EFCC for the recovery and assured that the funds would be used judiciously.

“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 appropriately,” he said.