EFCC Recovers N115bn NDDC Levies from Oil Firms

The recovery comprises N76.88 billion and $81.08 million, the commission disclosed on Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts during its probe of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) 2021–2023 Oil and Gas Sector Audit.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered more than N115 billion in statutory levies owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by oil companies between 2021 and 2023.

The recovery comprises N76.88 billion and $81.08 million, the commission disclosed on Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts during its probe of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) 2021–2023 Oil and Gas Sector Audit.

An EFCC representative, Francis Oka-Phillips Usani, told the committee that the commission investigated 43 oil companies, with 24 operating in the Niger Delta found to have outstanding liabilities to the NDDC.

According to Usani, the 24 companies were indebted to the commission to the tune of N76.883 billion and $81.076 million, while the remaining 19 were cleared of liability.

He said EFCC pressure led some of the affected companies to make direct payments to the NDDC totalling N6.709 billion and $16.994 million.

Of the total amount recovered, N73.373 billion and $67.070 million have been released to the NDDC, while N3.510 billion and $14.005 million remain in the EFCC recovery account.

Usani said the investigation primarily focused on the three per cent statutory levy payable to the NDDC, as identified in the NEITI audit, but added that other unpaid statutory obligations and taxes due to the Federal Government were also considered.

Meanwhile, the Senate committee rejected an attempt by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to respond to queries raised against the company, citing the absence of adequate representation.

The committee subsequently directed the company's Managing Director to appear personally before it next week.

The Managing Directors of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited, Oando Oil Limited, Famfa Oil and Green Energy International Limited were also given a final opportunity to appear physically before the committee.

The investigative hearing, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, is expected to continue on Thursday.