The EFCC handed over the recovered N279m to the National Theatre

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday handed over the sum of N279 million to the Wole Soyinka Cultural and Creative Arts Center (former National Theatre), Lagos.

EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stated this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He said the exercise was part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to eradicate corruption and recover misused public funds.

According to him, the funds were handed over to organizations at the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi.

The statement read: ”The commission, in 2009, received a petition from Kabir Yusuf, former General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre, against Prince Benjamin Apugo and others.

READ ALSO: EFCC arrests man over alleged naira abuse

”The applicant alleged that a contract worth N299,707,828.00 was awarded through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to Techno Exportstroy Nigeria Limited.

“The contract is for the construction of five gates, sand filling and reclamation work for the National Theatre.

“Investigations later revealed that the suspect Yusuf Atai in his capacity as the Acting General Manager of the National Theater had released the sum of N334,229,794.24 to the contractor.

” This amount exceeds the initial contract amount of N34,521,966.00.

“Further investigations revealed that the contractor only carried out work worth N55,910,744.00, leaving an outstanding balance of N243,799,132.25 in work not carried out.

The suspect also failed to return the overpayment of N34,521,966.00.

“After the investigation was completed, the suspect was charged to court.

”During the trial, the sum of N279,000,000.00 was recovered from the accused on behalf of the complainant.”