Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, has petitioned Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ahmed Farouk, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), over allegations of corruption and financial misconduct.
Gatekeepers News reports that in the petition dated December 16 and submitted through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dangote accused Farouk of abusing his office and living far beyond his legitimate earnings as a public servant. The document urged the anti-graft agency to arrest, probe, and prosecute the NMDPRA chief.
The petition, acknowledged by ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, alleged that Farouk spent over $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland within six years, a sum Dangote claimed could not be justified by Farouk’s lawful income.
Details of the children’s schools and the specific amounts allegedly paid were included to assist the commission’s verification process.
Dangote further alleged that Farouk diverted public funds for personal use, claiming the official used his position to embezzle and divert public funds to finance the foreign education of his children. He argued that Farouk’s entire career had been spent in Nigeria’s public sector and that his total earnings “could not have amounted to $7 million.”
According to the billionaire businessman, the alleged misconduct contributed to recent protests and public dissatisfaction involving the petroleum regulatory authority.
Dangote stated, “It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of 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 businessman added that under the same law, “upon a successful prosecution… the person is liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine.”
Dangote expressed confidence in the ICPC’s capacity, alongside other agencies, to pursue corruption cases and ensure accountability, noting that courts rarely hesitate to punish offenders once a prima facie case is established.
He said, “In view of the above, we call on the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
He also urged the commission to act decisively, stressing that the matter was already in the public domain and that decisive action would help safeguard public trust and the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Dangote concluded by assuring ICPC of his readiness to provide further evidence to substantiate his allegations of corrupt enrichment and abuse of office against the NMDPRA chief.
