The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered more than N115 billion and $84 million linked to unpaid statutory levies owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by oil companies.
The disclosure was made before the Senate Public Accounts Committee during its investigation into issues contained in the 2021–2023 Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Oil and Gas Industry Audit Reports.
Representing the EFCC, Francis Usani told lawmakers that the commission investigated 43 oil companies following queries raised in the NEITI reports. Of the companies investigated, 24 operating in the Niger Delta were found to have outstanding liabilities connected to the statutory three per cent levy payable to the NDDC.
The 24 companies were initially identified as owing about N76.88 billion and $81.08 million, while the remaining 19 companies were cleared of the specific liabilities examined.
According to Usani, the EFCC’s investigation encouraged some of the affected companies to settle their obligations directly with the NDDC. These companies paid about N6.71 billion and $16.99 million directly to the development commission.
The EFCC also recovered additional funds and transferred N73.37 billion and $67.07 million to the NDDC. The agency said about N3.51 billion and $14.01 million remained in its recovery account.
The recovery highlights the financial importance of statutory payments to the NDDC, which relies on such funds to support development projects across the oil-producing Niger Delta region.
The three per cent levy is part of the commission’s statutory funding arrangement and is intended to finance infrastructure and other development programmes in communities affected by oil and gas activities.
However, the EFCC clarified that its investigation was mainly focused on the unpaid NDDC levy identified by NEITI. It noted that other unpaid taxes and statutory obligations to the Federal Government could still exist.
The development has also increased pressure on oil companies to explain their financial obligations to government agencies.
During the hearing, the Senate committee rejected an attempt by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to send a representative instead of its managing director. The committee directed the company’s managing director to appear personally before lawmakers next week.
Similar final invitations were issued to the managing directors of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited, Oando Oil Limited, Famfa Oil Limited and Green Energy International Limited.
The Senate said it wants chief executives to personally address unresolved financial queries contained in the NEITI audit reports.
The ongoing investigation reflects broader concerns about revenue leakages in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. NEITI audits are designed to promote transparency by examining oil production, company payments, government revenues and transactions within the extractive sector.
For lawmakers, the issue goes beyond recovering money. They also want to determine why statutory payments were not made on time and whether existing systems are strong enough to ensure compliance.
The Senate Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, is expected to continue its investigation as more companies and government agencies may be invited.
The probe could lead to further recoveries, additional summonses and possible enforcement measures if companies are found to have failed to meet their statutory obligations.
The EFCC recovery has therefore added fresh momentum to the Senate’s examination of Nigeria’s oil-sector revenues and the accountability of companies operating in the Niger Delta.
