Chairman of Dangote Group, Dr. Aliko Dangote, submits a formal petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, over alleged corruption and financial impropriety. The petition calls for a full investigation into claims that the regulator’s chief lives beyond his known sources of income as a public officer.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the petition, dated December 16, urges the anti-graft agency to investigate, arrest, and prosecute Farouk Ahmed if found culpable. Dangote alleges that the NMDPRA boss spends several millions of dollars on expenses that are inconsistent with earnings from a lifetime career in Nigeria’s public sector.
In the petition acknowledged by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), Dangote claims that Farouk Ahmed pays over 7 million US dollars for the education of his four children in different schools in Switzerland. The petition states that the fees allegedly cover a six-year period and were paid upfront, raising questions about the source of the funds.
Mediaplusng.com reports that Dangote provides specific details in the petition, including the names of the children, the schools they attend in Switzerland, and the amounts allegedly paid for each child. He says these details are meant to aid verification and support a transparent investigation by the ICPC.
The petition further alleges that Farouk Ahmed uses his position as head of the NMDPRA to divert public funds for personal benefit and private interests. Dangote claims this alleged conduct harms the Nigerian people and fuels public anger, pointing to recent protests by different groups over the management of the petroleum regulatory space.
Dangote also argues that Farouk Ahmed has spent his entire adult working life in public service and that his cumulative lawful earnings cannot reasonably support the alleged expenditure of over 7 million dollars on foreign education for his children. He describes this as a clear case of suspected illicit enrichment that deserves urgent scrutiny.
In the petition, Dangote cites provisions of the ICPC Act, stating that alleged abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment, and embezzlement fall squarely within the powers of the commission to investigate and prosecute. He notes that the law prescribes up to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine upon conviction.
The Dangote Group chairman expresses confidence in the ICPC and other anti-corruption agencies to handle the matter professionally. He calls on the commission to act decisively, stressing that the case is already in the public domain and should be treated with seriousness to protect public trust and the image of the current administration.
Dangote also states his readiness to cooperate fully with investigators, pledging to provide evidence to support his claims if invited by the commission. He insists that his petition is driven by public interest and the need for accountability in sensitive regulatory institutions.
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC has not issued an official response on the petition, while the NMDPRA and Engr. Farouk Ahmed are yet to publicly address the specific allegations contained in the document.
