As part of its ongoing fight against corruption and recovery of stolen public funds, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts (formerly known as the National Theatre, Lagos) N279 million (Two Hundred and Seventy-nine Million).
The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi held the handover ceremony on Friday, March 6, 2026.
In 2009, Kabir Yusuf, who used to be the General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre, filed a complaint with the Commission against Prince Benjamin Apugo and others. He said that the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and National Orientation gave a contract worth N299,707,828.00 to Techno Exportstroy Nig. Limited for building five gates, filling in sand, and reclaiming land at the National Theatre.
Investigators found that the defendant, Yusuf Ahmed Atai, who was Acting General Manager of the National Theatre at the time, gave the contractor N334,229,794.24, which was N34,521,966.00 more than the original contract amount.
More research revealed that the contractor only did work worth N55,910,744.00, leaving an unpaid amount of N243,799,132.25 in work that was not done.
The suspect also didn’t give back the extra payment of N34,521,966.00.
After the investigations were over, the suspect was taken to court to face charges.
A total of N279,000,000.00 was collected from the defendant on behalf of the complainant throughout the trial.
During the handover ceremony, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, was represented by the Acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo. He said that the Commission is still committed to making sure that public funds are properly accounted for and returned to their rightful owners.
He told the people in charge of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts to spend the money they got back wisely.
He said, “We can’t let you get this money back from us and then use it for something else.” We previously asked you what you plan to do with it, and you should know that we will be watching how you use it. People in Nigeria have always wanted to know what the Commission does with money it gets back.
He also said that the Commission will check on the project that the money would be used for from time to time.
“We’ll come by every so often to check on how things are going.” We’ll be keeping a close eye on the speed of the job. Don’t mess with the money that was found. He urged, “Use them for the good of Nigeria and all of us.”
Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts at the National Theatre, thanked the Commission for getting the money back and promised that it would be utilized properly when he received the bank drafts on behalf of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
“We are really thankful for this amazing accomplishment of getting this much money back for us. The EFCC is one of the best and most trustworthy police forces in Nigeria. He added, “I promise you that the money will be used wisely.”
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