The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally handed over ₦104.1 million in recovered tax revenue to the Niger State Government, marking a significant enforcement action against corporate tax evasion and a boost to the state’s internally generated revenue efforts.
The recovered funds represent unremitted taxes owed by Kiara Rice Mills Limited, a multibillion-naira rice processing company operating in Kpatsuwa Village of Mokwa Local Government Area. The handover took place on Wednesday at the EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate, where officials confirmed that the recovered amount—₦104,091,162.46—covers tax liabilities accumulated by the company between 2021 and 2024.
How the Recovery Began
According to the Commission, actionable intelligence was first received in February 2025, indicating that Kiara Rice Mills, despite operating profitably, had allegedly failed to remit its full tax obligations to the Niger State Internal Revenue Service (NGSIRS). This prompted an investigation by the EFCC’s Foreign Exchange Malpractice Section, which eventually uncovered concrete evidence of the company’s failure to fulfil its statutory tax duties.
The EFCC stated that the investigation was meticulous, combining financial analysis, field inquiries, and inter-agency collaboration. These steps ultimately led to the full recovery of the outstanding tax liabilities and the eventual handover to the state.
EFCC’s Statement on the Handover
During the handover ceremony, EFCC Executive Chairman Mr. Ola Olukoyede—represented by the Ilorin Zonal Director, Commander of the EFCC, CE Ansalem Ozioko, Ph.D.—reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to maintaining financial integrity and holding organisations accountable.
He emphasised that the EFCC’s work does not stop at arrests and prosecution but extends to recovery and restitution:
“The function of the EFCC is to prevent, investigate, and prosecute economic and financial crimes, recover what was stolen, and return it to the rightful owners. That is exactly what we are doing here today.”
Olukoyede urged the Niger State Government and its agencies to strengthen their collaboration with the Commission, encouraging them to act as “ambassadors of the EFCC” by reporting financial misconduct and promoting transparency in public administration.
Niger State Reacts
Receiving the recovered funds on behalf of the state, Alhaji Aminu Bawa, Group Head of Tax Operations at the Niger State Internal Revenue Service, expressed gratitude to the EFCC. He praised the agency’s diligence and stressed that the recovery would directly support development initiatives within the state.
According to Bawa:
“On behalf of the Niger State Government, I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the Commission for this commendable recovery effort. This development will have a direct and positive impact on the lives of our people.”
He confirmed that the funds would be credited to the state government’s account and channelled toward public development projects, especially those aimed at improving infrastructure and social services.
EFCC’s Wider Anti-Corruption Performance
The handover is part of the EFCC’s larger nationwide anti-corruption drive, which has recorded extensive recoveries and enforcement activities over the past two years.
According to data provided by the Commission:
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Over 19,000 petitions were received between October 2023 and September 2025.
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Approximately 29,240 investigations were conducted within the same period.
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These efforts resulted in 10,525 court cases and 7,503 convictions, a record-breaking achievement for the agency.
Additionally, the EFCC recovered 1,502 non-monetary assets, including 753 duplexes in Lokogoma, Abuja, and the former Nok University in Kaduna State, now repurposed as the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.
In financial terms, recoveries include:
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₦566.3 billion
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$411.6 million
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£71,306
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€182,877
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And other foreign currencies
A portion of these recovered funds has already been channelled into national programmes such as the Student Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Scheme, with ₦100 billion committed so far. Several agencies—including the NDDC, AMCON, FIRS, and NHIA—have also benefited from funds recovered by the EFCC.
Broader Anti-Fraud Efforts
The EFCC also highlighted successful crackdowns on fraud networks, including the arrest of 792 suspects across Lagos in December 2024 for cryptocurrency and investment-related fraud. Among them were 192 foreigners, all of whom were prosecuted and subsequently deported. The agency has also reopened several longstanding corruption cases and launched a Task Force on Naira Abuse and Dollarisation to curb illicit currency activities nationwide.
