The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered more than ₦115 billion and $84 million in outstanding statutory levies owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission by oil companies operating in Nigeria. The agency disclosed the figures before the Senate Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, during an ongoing probe into revenue leakages and audit queries raised in the 2021–2023 Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Oil and Gas Industry Audit Reports.
Representing the EFCC, Francis Usani explained that the commission initiated an investigation into 43 oil companies following the queries raised by NEITI. Out of these, 19 companies were cleared, while 24 operating within the oil-rich Niger Delta region were found to have unpaid liabilities under the mandatory three percent statutory NDDC levy, initially totaling ₦76.88 billion and $81.08 million.
Following the anti-graft agency's intervention, several affected firms settled part of their obligations directly with the NDDC, making payments of ₦6.71 billion and $16.99 million. Furthermore, the EFCC has already transferred ₦73.37 billion and $67.07 million of the recovered funds back to the NDDC, while leaving a balance of ₦3.51 billion and $14.01 million in its recovery account. Usani noted that while the primary focus of the probe was the unremitted three percent NDDC levy, the commission remains open to investigating other potential unpaid taxes and statutory obligations owed to the Federal Government.
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Alongside the EFCC's updates, the Senate committee took a firm stance against oil firms attempting to send representatives instead of top leadership to answer audit queries. The panel rejected a representation on behalf of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited and directed its Managing Director to appear in person next week. A final notice was also issued to the managing directors of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited, Oando Oil Limited, Famfa Oil Limited, and Green Energy International Limited to appear before the committee personally. Senator Dankwambo emphasized that the Senate will sustain its probe until full explanations are provided for all revenue discrepancies flagged in the NEITI reports.
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