Finally, Dangote Takes On NMDPRA Boss Ahmed, Submits Corruption Petition to ICPC

The Chairman of Dangote Group, Dr. Aliko Dangote, has formally filed a petition with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk, over allegations of corruption and financial impropriety.

The petition, dated December 16 and submitted through his lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), calls for the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Farouk Ahmed for allegedly living beyond his legitimate income as a public officer.

In the petition received by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), Dangote accused the NMDPRA chief of expending over seven million United States dollars, without any proven lawful source of income, on the education of his four children in various schools in Switzerland, with payments reportedly made upfront to cover a six-year period.

To support his claims and aid verification by the anti-graft agency, Dangote reportedly listed the names of the four children, the schools they attend in Switzerland, and the specific amounts paid for each of them.

He further alleged that Farouk Ahmed used the apparatus of the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal benefit and private interests, actions he claimed had triggered public outrage and protests by various groups in recent times.

The oil magnate maintained that Farouk Ahmed had spent his entire adult working life in Nigeria’s public sector and that his cumulative earnings over the years could not reasonably account for the alleged seven million dollars said to have been diverted from public funds to finance his children’s education abroad.

“It is without doubt that the above facts relating to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment, and embezzlement constitute gross acts of corruption, which your Commission is statutorily empowered under Section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” Dangote stated.

He noted that upon successful prosecution under the same section of the Act, the offender is liable to a five-year jail term without the option of a fine.

Dangote further expressed confidence that the ICPC, working alongside sister agencies, is well positioned to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, stressing that once a prima facie case is established, the courts do not hesitate to sanction offenders.

“In view of the foregoing, we urge the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to prosecute him accordingly if found culpable,” he added.

He also expressed optimism that, given the public nature of the matter, the Commission would act decisively to ensure justice is served and to safeguard the image of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dangote pledged his readiness to provide evidence in support of his allegations of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office, and impunity against Engr. Farouk Ahmed.