Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Friday, handed over a total of N279 million recovered from a fraud case to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, Lagos.
The money was officially handed over during a ceremony held on Friday, at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 office in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The recovered funds were returned as part of the anti-graft agency’s efforts to fight corruption and ensure that public money stolen is returned to the rightful institution.
EFCC, in a statement, said the case began in 2009 when Kabir Yusuf, who was then the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre, submitted a petition to the EFCC. In the petition, he accused Prince Benjamin Apugo and other individuals of wrongdoing in connection with a contract project at the National Theatre.
According to the petition, a contract valued at N299,707,828.00 was awarded through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to Techno Exportstroy Nigeria Limited. The contract was meant for the construction of five gates as well as sand filling and reclamation work at the National Theatre complex.
After investigating the matter, the EFCC discovered that Yusuf Ahmed Atai, who served as the Acting General Manager of the National Theatre at the time, approved and released a total payment of N334,229,794.24 to the contractor. This amount was N34,521,966.00 higher than the original contract value.
Further findings showed that the contractor only completed work worth N55,910,744.00. This left a large part of the project unfinished, with an unexecuted balance valued at N243,799,132.25.
Investigators also discovered that the excess payment of N34,521,966.00 made to the contractor was not returned.
Following the conclusion of investigations, the suspect was taken to court and charged for prosecution.
During the court proceedings, the EFCC was able to recover a total sum of N279,000,000.00 from the defendant on behalf of the complainant.
The recovered money was later handed over to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who was represented by the Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, during the ceremony, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that public funds are properly accounted for.
He also advised the management of the Wole Soyinka Centre to make good use of the recovered funds.
The EFCC boss 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.
“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 further explained that the Commission would regularly check the project where 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 added.
While receiving the bank drafts on behalf of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, the Head of Finance and Accounts of the National Theatre, Jatto Kabiru, thanked the EFCC for its efforts in recovering the money.
He also assured the commission that the funds would be used properly.
“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.
