ABUJA, Nigeria — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered more than N115 billion in outstanding statutory levies owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by some oil companies. The recoveries were made between 2021 and 2023.

The commission presented this information on Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, which is intensifying its probe into the 2021-2023 oil and gas audit.

The EFCC also stated that it has cleared 19 oil firms from allegations of non-payment of petroleum product subsidies. This clarification was made during the ongoing Senate investigation into the audit report concerning the oil and gas sector for the period of 2021 to 2023.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts is scrutinizing the findings of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) report, which highlighted financial irregularities and non-compliance by various entities within the oil and gas industry.

The committee's intensified probe aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of the nation's oil and gas resources, particularly concerning the funds allocated to the NDDC and the collection of statutory levies.