The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has handed over the sum of N279 million (Two Hundred and Seventy-nine Million ) to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Theatre in, Lagos, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat corruption and recover misappropriated public funds.
The anti-graft agency, in a statement posted on its X handle on Friday said the handover took place at its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi.
According to the statement, that funds recovery followed a 2009 petition by the former General Manager and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Theatre, Kabir Yusuf, against Benjamin Apugo and others.
Mr Yusuf alleged that a contract worth N299,707,828.00 was 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.
The anti-graft agency said investigations revealed that the suspect, Yusuf Atai, in his capacity as acting General Manager of the National Theatre, released the sum of N334,229,794.24 to the contractor, which exceeded the original contract sum by N34,521,966.00.
“Further investigations showed that the contractor only executed work valued at N55,910,744.00, leaving an outstanding balance of N243,799,132.25 in unexecuted work.
“The suspect also failed to refund the excess payment of N34,521,966.00,” the EFCC said.
Upon the conclusion of investigations, it said the suspect was charged to court for prosecution.
“During the course of the trial, a total sum of N279,000,000.00 was recovered from the defendant on behalf of the complainant,” it said.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Bawa Kaltungo, emphasised the commission’s commitment to accountability in public spending.
“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.”
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He added that the commission would periodically inspect the project for which the funds would be used.
“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 funds on behalf of the Centre, the Head of Finance and Accounts, Jatto Kabiru, expressed appreciation to the EFCC.
“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.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu renamed the edifice as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in honour of the Nobel Laureate.
