Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ahmed Farouk, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
In a petition dated December 16 and submitted through his legal counsel, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, Dangote accused the regulatory chief of “monumental corruption” and living far beyond his legitimate means.
The $7 Million Accusation
The petition, addressed directly to ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, SAN, centers on a specific and staggering allegation. Dangote claims that Farouk spent over $7 million (USD) on the education of his four children in Switzerland.
According to the document, this payment was made upfront to cover a six-year period. Dangote asserts that Farouk, a career public servant, has no lawful income source that could justify such an expenditure.
“Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office… and in doing so enmeshed himself in monumental corruption and unlawful spending of Public funds running into millions of dollars,” the petition reads.
To aid the investigation, the petition lists:
- The names of the four children.
- The specific Swiss schools they attend.
- The exact amounts paid for each student.
“Unexplained Wealth”
Dangote’s argument hinges on the discrepancy between Farouk’s lifestyle and his public sector earnings. The business mogul contends that Farouk has spent his entire adult working life in the Nigerian public service. Therefore, accumulating millions of dollars for foreign tuition is mathematically impossible based on his statutory salary.
The petition alleges that Farouk used the “instrumentality of the NMDPRA” to divert public funds for personal gain. Dangote cited Section 19 of the ICPC Act, which empowers the Commission to investigate and prosecute public officers for corrupt enrichment.
“Any Public officer who uses his office… to confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself… shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five years without option of fine,” Dangote stated, quoting the law.
Escalating Tensions
This legal move follows a tense press briefing held by Dangote in Lagos on Sunday. During the event, he publicly criticized regulatory failures and alleged deep-seated corruption within the downstream petroleum sector.
He warned that leaving these allegations unanswered would destroy investor confidence and public trust.
A History of Allegations
This is not the first time Farouk has faced public scrutiny. In June 2025, protesters marched to the offices of the Attorney General and the Code of Conduct Bureau in Abuja, demanding Farouk’s resignation. They accused him of treating the regulatory body as a “personal estate.”
At the time, the NMDPRA dismissed the protests as an “orchestrated smear campaign” built on falsehoods.
Call for Action
Dangote has vowed to provide evidence to substantiate his claims of impunity and abuse of office. He urged the ICPC to act decisively to protect the integrity of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“It is without doubt that the above facts… are gross acts of corrupt practices,” Dangote concluded, calling for an immediate investigation and prosecution if a prima facie case is established.
