Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, calling for the arrest and prosecution of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk, over alleged corruption and abuse of office.
The petition, submitted on December 16 through Dangote’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, accuses Farouk of living beyond his legitimate means, citing an expenditure of over $7 million on the overseas education of his four children in Switzerland, allegedly paid upfront without any lawful source of income to justify it.
“That Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office contrary to the extant provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, enmeshing himself in monumental corruption and unlawful spending of public funds running into millions of dollars,” the petition read.
Dangote alleged that Farouk diverted public funds for personal gain, claiming that his actions have fueled public outrage and protests by civil society groups.
He argued that, based on Farouk’s earnings in the public sector, it would have been impossible to finance such expenditures legitimately.
“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement are gross acts of corrupt practices for which your Commission is statutorily empowered under Section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” the petition stated.
Dangote also emphasized the importance of ICPC’s action in maintaining public trust and investor confidence.
“Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine,” he added.
The business mogul pledged to provide evidence to substantiate his claims and expressed confidence in the ICPC’s ability to ensure accountability. He urged the Commission to act decisively, stressing that the matter is already in the public domain.
In June 2025, a similar protest was staged in Abuja, demanding Farouk’s resignation over alleged corruption in the downstream petroleum sector.
The NMDPRA, however, dismissed the claims as unfounded, describing them as a smear campaign against the agency’s CEO.
Dangote concluded by warning that failure to investigate such allegations could undermine public confidence in governance and regulatory oversight in the petroleum sector.
