Nigeria: Ex-NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Still Under Probe Despite Withdrawal Of Petition By Dangote — ICPC Says

Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has said it will proceed with its investigation into allegations against the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, despite the withdrawal of a petition by business mogul Aliko Dangote.

Mr. Dangote, founder of Dangote Refinery—Africa’s largest petroleum refinery—had earlier raised questions over the alleged spending of $5 million by Mr. Ahmed on his children’s overseas education, a claim that sparked widespread public debate across Nigeria.

Following the allegations, Mr. Dangote formally petitioned the ICPC, calling for a probe into the former regulator.

The Commission subsequently invited Mr. Dangote in December to appear before its panel of investigators to adopt the petition, in line with legal requirements.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, the ICPC disclosed that Mr. Dangote has withdrawn the petition.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is in receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2025, titled ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed,’ submitted by Dr. O. J. Onoja, SAN & Associates, legal counsel to Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” the statement said.

According to the Commission, the letter stated that the petitioner had withdrawn the petition dated December 16, 2025, against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety, noting that another law-enforcement agency had taken over the matter.

Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC stressed that investigations would continue.

“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that, in line with the provisions of Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing,” the statement said.

“The Commission will therefore continue to investigate this matter in accordance with its statutory mandate, in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption, for the benefit of Nigeria.”