By Our Reporter
The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has filed a formal corruption petition against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
It would be recalled that Dangote had previously petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ahmed over allegations that he spent about $5 million on the secondary education of his children in Switzerland, an expenditure he alleged was inconsistent with Ahmed’s known earnings as a public official.
Although the petition was later withdrawn, the ICPC had announced that it would continue with its investigation.
This was made known in a statement issued on Friday by the Dangote Group media team, saying that the petition, filed through his legal representative, followed the recent withdrawal of a similar complaint earlier submitted to the ICPC.
According to the statement, the withdrawal of the same petition from the ICPC and other related offences commission was a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.
"The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission was a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process," the statement said.
In the fresh petition to the EFCC, signed by Lead Counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the commission to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment levelled against the former petroleum regulator.
The petition also stated that Dangote was prepared to provide documentary and other evidence to substantiate the allegations of financial misconduct and impunity.
“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 read, citing judicial authorities including Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) and Shema v. F.R.N (2018).
Onoja further urged the EFCC, under the leadership of its Chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, to investigate the allegations against Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.
The NMDPRA was established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to regulate Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including pricing, licensing, and infrastructure oversight. The authority plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.
Anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC have, in recent years, intensified scrutiny of public officials over allegations of illicit enrichment, as part of the Federal Government’s broader anti-corruption drive.
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