The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will conduct an inquiry into the allegations of corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Authority Chief Executive (ACE) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had petitioned ICPC, seeking the arrest, investigation and prosecution of Farouk over alleged corruption and abuse of office.
In a petition dated December 16 and submitted through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), Dangote pointed accusing fingers at the NMDPRA boss for living far above his legitimate means as a public servant.
The petition, which was acknowledged by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu (SAN), alleged that Farouk expended more than $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland without any lawful source of income to justify such expenditure.
The petition came after allegations by Dangote during a press briefing in Lagos, where he raised concerns about regulatory failures and alleged corruption in the downstream petroleum sector.
Dangote had also accused the NMDPRA leadership of regulatory sabotage by indiscriminately issuing import licences to frustrate local refining.
Dangote claimed that the fees were paid upfront for a six-year period, describing the spending as a clear violation of the code of conduct for public officers and an act of corrupt enrichment.
The petition said, “Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office and enmeshed himself in monumental corruption and unlawful spending of public funds running into millions of dollars. He spent, without evidence of lawful means of income, a humongous amount of over $7m for the education of his four children in Switzerland.”
The richest man in Africa reportedly gave the names of the children, the Swiss schools they attend and the amounts allegedly paid for each, urging the ICPC to verify the claims.
He further alleged that Farouk used the instrumentality of the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal benefit, actions he said had triggered public outrage and protests in recent months.
Dangote maintained that Farouk, having spent his entire working life in the Nigerian public sector, could not have legitimately accumulated funds close to the amount allegedly spent on foreign education for his children.
He stated that the alleged actions amounted to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement—offences, which the ICPC is empowered to investigate and prosecute under Section 19 of the ICPC Act, carrying a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.
Dangote said he would provide evidence to substantiate his claims of abuse of office, corrupt enrichment and impunity against the NMDPRA chief.
In a statement, John Odey, spokesman of the ICPC, said that the petition will be investigated.
He said, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to confirm that it received a formal petition today, Tuesday, 16th December, 2025 from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer.
“The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed. The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated.”
