‘EFCC illegally collecting 3% annually from NDDC since 2020’

A group, Act for Positive Transformation Initiatives, has accused the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) of illegally collecting 3% of the total annual budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), since 2020.

Kolawole Johnson, Head, Directorate of Research, Strategy & Programmes (APTI), said this at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Since 2020, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission has taken over, albeit illegally. the role of collecting 3% of the total annual budget of oil-producing companies (The major revenue source for the NDDC) on behalf of the NDDC without remitting the same to the Commission,” he said.

This, he said, was done without any legal justification and in flagrant disregard of the NDDC Establishment Act, 2000.

“By this act, the EFCC ambushed the provision of section 14(2) (b) of the NDDC Act, diverting and siphoning funds assigned, allotted and due to the NDDC. Note: oil companies are the largest contributor to the NDDC’s revenue,” Johnson said.

The group demanded an, “Immediate discontinuance of demand for the 3% of the total annual budget of the oil- producing companies operating onshore and offshore in the Niger Delta, including the gas-producing companies.

“The refund by the EFCC to the NDDC, immediately without illegal deductions of commission or charges whatsoever, within seven (7) days of all the 3% of the total annual budget of the oil-producing companies operating onshore and offshore in the Niger-Delta states including the gas producing companies that have been taken by the EFCC on behalf of the NDDC since 2020.”

Responding to an inquiry, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said, “We will respond when NDDC admits the cash is with us.”