President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), demanding a full investigation into alleged corruption involving the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Ahmed Farouk.
In the petition dated December 16 and submitted through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, Dangote accused the NMDPRA boss of abuse of office, corrupt enrichment and diversion of public funds, urging the ICPC to investigate, arrest and prosecute him where necessary.
The petition, acknowledged by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, SAN, alleged that Farouk has lived far beyond his legitimate earnings as a public officer, citing claims that he spent over $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland.
Dangote contended that the alleged payments—said to have been made upfront for several years—could not be justified by Farouk’s lawful income throughout his public service career. He reportedly supplied details of the children, the Swiss schools involved and the sums allegedly paid to enable independent verification by the anti-graft agency.
The businessman further alleged that Farouk abused his office in violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, using the instrumentality of the NMDPRA to divert public funds for personal and private interests, actions he said had triggered public outrage and protests.
Citing Section 19 of the ICPC Act, Dangote maintained that the allegations fall squarely within the Commission’s mandate, noting that abuse of office and corrupt enrichment attract a possible five-year jail term upon conviction.
Dangote also linked the allegations to broader concerns over regulatory failures in the downstream petroleum sector, warning that unresolved corruption claims could undermine investor confidence.
While similar allegations were raised by protesters in Abuja in June 2025, the NMDPRA has consistently denied wrongdoing, dismissing the claims as false, politically motivated and part of a coordinated smear campaign against its leadership.
Dangote, however, expressed confidence in the ICPC’s ability to establish the facts, pledging to provide documentary and other evidence to support his claims in the interest of accountability and public trust.
