Funds diversion: EFCC arrests four directors of National Theatre

Anxiety surrounded the National Theatre, Lagos, on Thursday as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested four directors of the institution.

They were said to have been arrested on Wednesday for alleged embezzlement of government funds.

Such an incident is unusual in the sector, with the last  major arrest being that  of the former Director-General of the National Gallery of Arts, Mr. Joe Musa, about seven years ago.

Musa was arrested and prosecuted by the EFCC but the court eventually discharged and acquitted him, as he was found to be innocent of the charge.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the four directors, including a woman, were arrested at their Iganmu office for allegedly diverting “huge sums” of revenue and statutory allocation into private use.

It was said that they failed to remit revenues realised from the use of facilities at the National Theatre into the Federal Government Treasury Single Account.

The funds were said to include a N24m annual rent paid by Nigerian Breweries Plc for its branded kiosks and N9m paid for the use of National Theatre during the “Lagos @ 50” celebrations.

Names of the affected officials had not been given as of Thursday.Punch