Dangote Approaches EFCC Seeking Probe of Ex-NMDPRA Boss
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, through his legal representative, has filed a formal corruption petition against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The move follows the withdrawal of an earlier petition submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a decision described as strategic and aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.
In the petition signed by Lead Counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.
“We make bold to state that the Commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders,” the petition stated, citing Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1624) 337.
Onoja further urged the Commission, under the leadership of EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, to “investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
The petition added that the EFCC’s swift handling of the matter would serve as a deterrent to other public officers with corrupt tendencies.
The development reinforces Dangote’s stated commitment to transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
It will be recalled that on December 14, 2025, Dangote raised concerns about Mr. Ahmed’s financial dealings, alleging that the former regulator lived far beyond his legitimate means.
According to the petition, four of Mr. Ahmed’s children attended elite secondary schools in Switzerland for six years each. Dangote listed the institutions as Montreux School, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, and La Garenne International School.
Dangote estimated annual tuition, travel and upkeep costs at about $200,000 per child, amounting to approximately $5 million for secondary education alone.
He further alleged that an additional $2 million was spent on the children’s tertiary education, including about $210,000 for a Harvard MBA programme undertaken by one of them in 2025.
“Nigerians deserve to know the source of these funds, especially when many parents in Mr. Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto struggle to pay as little as ₦10,000 in school fees,” Dangote stated.
The petition calls for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions.
