Business mogul and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Dr. Aliko Dangote, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), requesting a full investigation into the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
In the petition, dated Tuesday and submitted through his legal team led by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, Dangote accused the NMDPRA boss of living far above his lawful earnings as a public servant. He alleged that Ahmed paid more than $7 million in tuition fees for four of his children enrolled in different schools in Switzerland.
According to Dangote, the school fees were allegedly paid upfront for a six-year period. To support his claims and assist the ICPC’s investigation, he reportedly provided the names of Ahmed’s children, their respective schools in Switzerland, and the specific amounts paid for each of them.
Dangote further alleged that Ahmed used his position at the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal benefit and the pursuit of private interests, actions he claimed were to the detriment of the Nigerian people and had recently triggered protests by various groups.
He maintained that Ahmed had spent his entire adult working life in Nigeria’s public sector and argued that his legitimate earnings over the years could not reasonably amount to the $7 million allegedly used to fund his children’s education abroad.
“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 constitute gross acts of corrupt practices,” Dangote stated, adding that the ICPC is empowered under Section 19 of its Act to investigate and prosecute such offences.
He noted that upon conviction, the offence attracts a five-year jail term without an option of fine.
Dangote urged the anti-corruption agency to act decisively, stressing that the matter is already in the public domain and requires urgent attention to ensure accountability and protect the image of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also pledged to present evidence to substantiate his allegations if invited by the ICPC during the course of its investigation.
The petition has since sparked widespread reactions, with civil society groups and advocacy organisations calling for transparency and thorough investigations, while the House of Representatives has summoned both Dangote and the NMDPRA over the ongoing dispute.
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