The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the recovery of over N115 billion in statutory levies due to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from oil companies that failed to remit payments between 2021 and 2023. The recovered sum comprises N76.883 billion and $81.076 million.

Mr. Francis Oka-Phillips Usani, an EFCC representative, presented these findings to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts during its probe into the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) 2021–2023 Oil and Gas Sector Audit. Usani stated that out of 43 oil companies investigated, 24 operating in the Niger Delta were found to have outstanding liabilities.

“At the commencement of investigation, EFCC invited 43 oil companies out of which 24 operating within the Niger Delta, were found to have outstanding liabilities in the sums of N76,883,705,907.17 and $81,076,655.00 while the remaining 19 oil companies were given a clean bill of health,” Usani told the committee.

He further explained that under pressure from the EFCC, some of the 24 companies directly paid N6.709 billion and $16.994 million to the NDDC. Of the total recovered amount, N73.373 billion and $67.070 million have been disbursed to the NDDC, with the remaining N3.510 billion and $14.005 million held in the EFCC recovery account.

Usani clarified that the investigation specifically targeted the 3% statutory levy owed to the NDDC, as identified in the NEITI report, but also acknowledged that other unpaid statutory obligations and taxes to the Federal Government were considered.

Following the EFCC's presentation, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, rejected an attempt by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to address queries regarding under-representation. The committee mandated the Managing Director of TotalEnergies to appear in person next week. Additionally, the Managing Directors of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited, Oando Oil Limited, Famfa Oil, and Green Energy International Limited were given a final opportunity to appear physically before the committee.

Senator Dankwambo announced that the investigative session would continue on Thursday.