RismadarVoice Reporters, March 7, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over the sum of N279 million recovered from a contractor 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 Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi, as part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to recover misappropriated public funds and ensure accountability in public institutions.
The recovered funds stem from a petition submitted to the EFCC in 2009 by Kabir Yusuf, former General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre.
The petition alleged irregularities in a contract worth N299,707,828 awarded through the Federal 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.
EFCC investigations revealed that Yusuf Ahmed Atai, who served as Acting General Manager of the National Theatre at the time, approved the release of N334,229,794.24 to the contractor an amount exceeding the approved contract sum by N34,521,966.
Further findings showed that the contractor only executed work valued at N55,910,744, leaving an outstanding N243,799,132.25 worth of uncompleted work. The suspect also failed to refund the excess payment made beyond the contract value.
Following the conclusion of investigations, the suspect was charged to court for prosecution. During the course of the trial, the EFCC successfully recovered N279 million from the defendant on behalf of the National Theatre.
Speaking during the handover, EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, who was represented by the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that stolen public funds are recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
Kaltungo cautioned the management of the Wole Soyinka Centre to ensure the recovered funds are used strictly 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,” he said. “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 added that the Commission would periodically inspect the project to ensure proper utilization of the funds.
“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 National Theatre, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for recovering the funds.
“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.
The recovery and handover form part of the EFCC’s broader mandate to fight corruption, recover looted funds, and promote transparency in the management of public resources.
