EFCC’s “Eagle Eyes”: ₦279m Fraud Haul Returned to Wole Soyinka Centre
MAKOGI — In a major victory for Nigeria’s anti-corruption crusade, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially returned ₦279 million in recovered, misappropriated public funds to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts (formerly known as the National Theatre).
The highly anticipated handover ceremony occurred on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi. The massive recovery concludes a long-running investigation into a highly inflated construction contract awarded during the late 2000s.
Receiving the drafts on behalf of the Wole Soyinka Centre, Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts, commended the EFCC for successfully navigating the grueling legal battle to retrieve the public funds. “We are most grateful for this remarkable feat of recovering this amount of money for us,” Kabiru noted. “The EFCC is one of Nigeria’s most effective and reliable law enforcement agencies. I assure you that the money will be used judiciously.” This recovery underscores the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to clawing back stolen national wealth and redirecting it toward vital cultural and infrastructural development.
The Anatomy of the Fraud: How the Funds Went Missing
The investigation stems from a 2009 petition filed by Kabir Yusuf, the former General Manager and CEO of the National Theatre. Yusuf alerted the authorities to massive financial discrepancies regarding a contract initially valued at ₦299,707,828.00.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation had awarded the contract to Techno Exportstroy Nig. Limited to construct five gates, execute sand filling, and handle land reclamation works at the iconic National Theatre.
However, EFCC detectives uncovered a web of financial violations: The Overpayment: Acting General Manager Yusuf Ahmed Atai unlawfully released ₦334,229,794.24 to the contractor—exceeding the approved contract sum by over ₦34.5 million. The Abandoned Project: Despite receiving the massive payout, the contractor only executed work valued at a mere ₦55,910,744.00. The Missing Balance: The suspect left an outstanding balance of ₦243,799,132.25 in unexecuted work and flatly refused to refund the excess ₦34.5 million overpayment.
Following a rigorous investigation and subsequent prosecution in court, the EFCC successfully recovered ₦279,000,000.00 from the defendant on behalf of the Nigerian government.
EFCC Issues Stern Warning: “Our Eagle Eyes Will Be Watching”
During the handover ceremony, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Bawa Usman Kaltungo, representing EFCC Executive Chairman Mr. Ola Olukoyede, presented the bank drafts to the management of the Wole Soyinka Centre.
While celebrating the recovery, Kaltungo delivered a sharp, uncompromising warning regarding how the creative centre must manage the newly returned funds.
“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,” Kaltungo stated firmly. “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.”
The EFCC emphasized that this is not a blind handover. The Commission confirmed it will launch periodic inspections of the construction projects financed by the recovered money.
“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.
Creative Centre Pledges Full Transparency
Receiving the drafts on behalf of the Wole Soyinka Centre, Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts, commended the EFCC for successfully navigating the grueling legal battle to retrieve the public funds.
“We are most grateful for this remarkable feat of recovering this amount of money for us,” Kabiru noted. “The EFCC is one of Nigeria’s most effective and reliable law enforcement agencies. I assure you that the money will be used judiciously.”
This recovery underscores the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to clawing back stolen national wealth and redirecting it toward vital cultural and infrastructural development.