The EFCC has handed over N279 million recovered from a disputed National Theatre contract to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos, pledging to monitor how the funds are used.
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 in Lagos, reinforcing its commitment to recovering public funds lost to corruption.
The official handover took place on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 office in Ikoyi.
Background of the Investigation
According to the anti-graft agency, the case dates back to 2009, when a petition was filed by Kabir Yusuf, a former General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre.
The petition alleged irregularities in a contract awarded through the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation for development work at the National Theatre complex.
The contract, valued at N299.7 million, was reportedly awarded to Techno Exportstroy Nigeria Limited for the construction of five gates, sand filling, and land reclamation works within the theatre premises.
However, EFCC investigations later uncovered several financial discrepancies.
Contract Payments Exceeded Approved Sum
Investigators discovered that Yusuf Ahmed Atai, who served as Acting General Manager of the National Theatre at the time, authorized payments totaling N334.2 million to the contractor.
The amount exceeded the initial contract value by more than N34.5 million, raising concerns about financial mismanagement.
Further scrutiny revealed that the contractor executed only a portion of the project valued at about N55.9 million, leaving a large part of the work unfinished.
This meant that a substantial amount of public funds had been paid out for work that was never completed.
Recovery of Funds
Following the EFCC’s investigation, the suspect was charged to court for prosecution.
During the legal process, authorities were able to recover N279 million from the defendant on behalf of the National Theatre management.
The recovered funds were subsequently handed over to the institution, now known as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, who was represented by the Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC Bawa Usman Kaltungo, stressed that the funds must be used responsibly.
He warned that the commission would monitor how the recovered money is spent.
According to him, Nigerians expect transparency regarding recovered assets and the EFCC is determined to ensure that such funds are used for the intended purposes.
“We cannot go through the effort of recovering this money only for it to be misused afterwards,” he said.
He also disclosed that the EFCC had requested details of the project that the funds would be used for and would conduct periodic inspections.
“Our team will visit from time to time to monitor progress. The recovered money must be used for the benefit of the country,” he added.
Receiving the bank drafts on behalf of the Wole Soyinka Centre, Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts at the National Theatre, thanked the EFCC for its efforts in retrieving the funds.
He described the recovery as a major achievement in the fight against corruption.
Kabiru assured that the money would be applied properly and in line with the centre’s development needs.
“We are grateful to the EFCC for this remarkable recovery. The commission remains one of the most reliable law enforcement institutions in the country,” he said.
Renewed Focus on Accountability
The EFCC says the recovery highlights the importance of accountability in the management of public funds and demonstrates the agency’s ongoing commitment to fighting corruption.
Officials say ensuring that recovered assets are returned to the institutions they belong to is a crucial part of restoring public trust.
For many observers, the development also signals the government’s continued effort to protect national assets and ensure that cultural institutions like the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts receive the support needed to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage.