ABUJA, 15 Mar - (ANA) - Nigeria's state-owned oil firm failed to remit $ 16bn (£ 11bn) to the treasury in 2014, the government says. An audit of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) showed the amount was withheld without any explanation.  The NNPC is yet to react to the allegation. A similar allegation made two years ago by the then-central bank governor Sanusi Lamido led to him being sacked by the former government having accused the oil company of failing to remit $ 20bn. Nigeria’s oil exports are worth about $ 77bn annually, according to oil producers' group Opec. There are allegations of funds being diverted to private individuals.  President Muhammadu Buhari took power after winning elections last year, vowing to fight corruption. Investigations into the alleged diversion of $ 2.1bn meant for weapons to fight the Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria have led to arrest and prosecution of high profile politicians and some top military officers. (ANA)

FA/ANA/15 March 2016----------