By Joy Yesufu
Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has filed a formal petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
The petition, submitted through Dangote’s legal team, was filed at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja and confirmed in a statement issued by the Dangote Group’s media office on Friday.
The move comes days after Dangote withdrew an earlier petition submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which had accused Ahmed of allegedly spending about $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland.
Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC had stated that it would proceed with its investigation.
According to the statement, the decision to approach the EFCC was described as a “strategic step aimed at accelerating the prosecution process,” given the commission’s mandate and expertise in handling financial crimes.
The petition, signed by Dangote’s lead counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja (SAN), urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office, corrupt enrichment, and financial misconduct against the former regulator and to prosecute him if found culpable.
It added that Dangote was prepared to provide documentary and other evidence to substantiate the claims.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders,” the petition stated, citing recent judicial precedents.
Onoja further appealed to the EFCC Chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, to ensure a thorough investigation of the allegations and to take appropriate legal action should the claims be established.
