Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has agreed to launch an investigation into the allegations of corruption leveled against the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed by President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had petitioned ICPC, demanding immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of Farouk over alleged corruption and abuse of office.
Dangote, in his petition dated December 16, submitted to ICPC through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), accused the NMDPRA CEO of living far beyond his legitimate means as a public servant.
The petition, which was acknowledged by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu (SAN), alleged that Farouk spent more than $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland without any lawful source of income to justify such expenditure.
The petition followed allegations by Dangote during a press briefing in Lagos, where he raised concerns about regulatory failures and alleged corruption in the downstream petroleum sector.
Dangote had also accused the NMDPRA leadership of regulatory sabotage by indiscriminately issuing import licences to frustrate local refining.
Dangote claimed that the fees were paid upfront for a six-year period, describing the spending as a clear violation of the code of conduct for public officers and an act of corrupt enrichment.
“Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office and enmeshed himself in monumental corruption and unlawful spending of public funds running into millions of dollars. He spent, without evidence of lawful means of income, a humongous amount of over $7m for the education of his four children in Switzerland.
“Farouk used the instrumentality of the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal benefit, actions he said had triggered public outrage and protests in recent months. Having spent his entire working life in the Nigerian public sector, he could not have legitimately accumulated funds close to the amount allegedly expended on foreign education for his children.
“Therefore, his actions amounted to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement—offences, which the ICPC is empowered to investigate and prosecute under Section 19 of the ICPC Act, carrying a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine. I will provide evidence to substantiate my claims of abuse of office, corrupt enrichment and impunity against the NMDPRA CEO”, Dangote boasted.
Reacting to petition, the ICPC public relations officer, John Odey, admitted that the commission is already in receipt of the petition by Dangote against Faruk and added that the petition will be duly investigated.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to confirm that it received a formal petition today, Tuesday, 16th December, 2025 from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer.
“The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed. The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated”, Odey said
Also, Farouq Ahmed in a rebuttal on Wednesday said that he was aware of the allegations made against him by Africa’s businessman and would welcome investigations into the matter.
“My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.
“While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family and the frenzy it has generated, as a regulator of a sensitive industry, I have opted not to engage in public brickbat.
“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.” He said
