The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has remitted ₦104,091,162.46 to the Niger State Government after recovering the amount from Kiara Rice Mills Limited.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the recovered funds represent the company’s unremitted tax liabilities accumulated between 2021 and 2024.
Oyewale explained that intelligence received in February 2025 indicated that the multi-billion-naira rice processing firm, based in Kpatsuwa Village, Mokwa Local Government Area, had failed to fully meet its tax obligations despite operating profitably—an infraction of federal and state tax regulations. Following an investigation by the EFCC’s Foreign Exchange Malpractice Section, the full amount owed was recovered.
“The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC has handed over the sum of ₦104,091,162.46 to the Niger State Government,” the statement read. The handover took place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the commission’s Ilorin office.
Speaking at the ceremony, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede—represented by the Ilorin Zonal Director, Ansalem Ozioko—reaffirmed the commission’s resolve to ensure that public revenue is fully accounted for.
“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 said.
He urged the Niger State Government to continue partnering with the EFCC and to promote transparency and accountability in public finance management.
Receiving the funds on behalf of the state, the Group Head of Tax Operations at the Niger State Internal Revenue Service, Alhaji Aminu Bawa, commended the EFCC for its diligence.
“On behalf of the Niger State Government, we appreciate the commission for this commendable recovery effort. This development will have a direct and positive impact on our people,” he said. Bawa added that the funds would be credited to the state’s account and channelled into development projects.
Tax evasion and unremitted taxes remain major obstacles to Nigeria’s revenue drive, with authorities estimating billions of dollars lost annually to non-compliance. Several states are now partnering more closely with the EFCC to strengthen tax enforcement and boost internally generated revenue.
