The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that it received a formal petition from Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the ICPC 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 commission added that “the petition will be duly investigated,” according to the spokesperson, John Okor Odey.
The petition was submitted by DR. O.J. ONOJA, SAN & Associates, legal practitioners to Dangote, and is dated December 16, 2025. The law firm described Dangote as “a Nigerian Citizen who has made significant contribution to the economy of Nigeria not just as a businessman but a consistent high tax payer.”
According to the petition, Engr. Farouk Ahmed was appointed as CEO of the NMDPRA in September 2021 by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. It also stated that before his appointment, he served with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, now Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), and held positions including Managing Director of PPMC and Executive Secretary of PPPRA.
The petition accused Ahmed of “gross abuse of office contrary to the extant provisions of the Code of Conduct for public officers,” alleging corruption and unlawful spending of public funds “running into Millions of Dollars.” It further claimed that he spent “over $7 Million of public funds for the education of his four children in different schools at Switzerland for a period of six years upfront.”
The children named in the petition are Faisal Farouk, Farouk Jr., Ashraf Farouk, and Farhana Farouk. The schools listed include Montreux School, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, and La Garenne International School, with each child reportedly enrolled for six years.
The petition also alleged that Ahmed “is using the instrumentality of his office as the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for self-gains and pursuit of private interest to the detriment of the Nigerian people,” adding that these actions had “orchestrated uproar and protests by different groups and reported in the media.”
It further argued that Ahmed’s lifetime earnings from public service could not justify the alleged expenditure, stating that “the totality of his earnings over the years is nothing close to the sum of 7 Million USD diverted from the public coffers.” The petition claimed he “has corruptly enriched himself with tax payers money meant for public consumption.”
Copies of online publications were attached to the petition as Annexures 1 and 2. The lawyers said the allegations amount to “gross acts of corrupt practices” which the ICPC is empowered to investigate under Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
Quoting the law, the petition cited Section 19, which states: “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 of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five (5) years without option of fine.”
The petition also referenced Ehindero v. F.R.N (2018), where the Supreme Court held that “any public officer who uses his office to gratify or confer corrupt unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence.”
It further cited Kalu v. FRN (2014), where the Court of Appeal held that “abuse of office by a public officer is also prohibited by paragraph 9 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution dealing with Code of Conduct for Public Officers.” Additional cases mentioned include Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) and Shema v. FRN (2016).
The lawyers called on the ICPC to investigate and prosecute Ahmed “if found wanting,” stating that Dangote “shall be on ground to proffer evidence in proof of this allegation.” They urged the commission to act to ensure justice and public accountability nationwide.
