Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of Dangote Group, has formally submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), demanding the immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Ahmed Farouk, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
In the petition dated and submitted on December 16 through his legal counsel, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, Dangote accuses the NMDPRA boss of corruption and living far above his legitimate income as a public official. The document, received by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, SAN, specifically alleges that Farouk spent over $7 million to fund the education of his four children in Switzerland.
The petition claims that these fees were paid upfront for a duration of six years, an expenditure Dangote argues cannot be justified by Farouk’s lawful earnings. “That 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,” the petition reads.
To aid the investigation, Dangote provided the names of the four children, the specific Swiss schools they attend, and the exact amounts paid. He asserted that Farouk has used the machinery of the NMDPRA to embezzle public funds for personal gain, actions which have reportedly fueled public outrage.
The business mogul highlighted that Farouk has spent his entire career in the Nigerian public sector, making it impossible for him to have legitimately accumulated nearly $7 million for tuition fees alone. Dangote cited Section 19 of the ICPC Act, noting that abuse of office and corrupt enrichment are punishable by a mandatory five-year prison term without the option of a fine.
“That Engr Farouk Ahmed has corruptly enriched himself with taxpayers’ money meant for public consumption and diverted it into private uses,” Dangote stated, urging the Commission to act decisively to protect the integrity of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He has vowed to provide evidence to substantiate these claims.
This formal petition follows a press briefing held by Dangote in Lagos on Sunday, where he first publicly raised concerns about regulatory failures and corruption within the downstream sector.
It is worth noting that in June 2025, a group of protesters in Abuja made similar allegations, marching to the offices of the AGF, CCB, and ICPC to demand Farouk’s resignation. At the time, the NMDPRA dismissed the accusations as a malicious smear campaign.
Will this petition trigger a full probe, or is it another high-profile clash? Share your thoughts in the comment section
