EFCC (The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), handed over ₦279 million in recovered funds to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts on Friday. The handover ceremony took place at the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi.
Background Of The Case
The recovery followed a petition in 2009. Kabir Yusuf, the former general manager and chief executive officer of the National Theatre, filed the petition against Prince Benjamin Apugo and others.
The petition centred on a contract worth ₦299,707,828 that the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation awarded to Techno Exportstroy Nig. Limited for construction of five gates, sand filling and reclamation works at the theatre.
Investigations revealed that Yusuf Atai, the then acting general manager, released ₦334,229,794.24 to the contractor. This amount exceeded the contract sum by ₦34,521,966. Officials later found that the contractor completed work worth only ₦55,910,744.
EFCC charged the suspect to court. During the trial, the commission recovered ₦279 million from the defendant on behalf of the complainant.
EFCC Holds Handover Ceremony
EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede sent a representative to the event. Bawa Kaltungo, the acting zonal director and assistant commander one of the EFCC, delivered remarks on his behalf.
Kaltungo stressed the need for accountability. He said, “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.”
He added that centre officials had already outlined their plans for the money. Nigerians always want to know how the commission handles recovered funds, he noted.
Agency Announces Monitoring Plan
Additionally, the EFCC representative made clear that oversight would continue. The agency said it would periodically inspect the project for which the funds would be used.
Kaltungo stated, “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.”
Centre Accepts Funds And Gives Assurance
Jatto Kabiru, the head of finance and accounts at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, received the bank drafts.Kabiru thanked the commission for its work. He said, “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.”
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Theatre, plans to deploy the funds for its projects. This handover forms part of the EFCC broader drive to return stolen public assets to their rightful owners.
