Alhaji Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, has formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), seeking the prosecution of Mr. Farouk Ahmed, the chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The petition, submitted by Dangote’s legal counsel, alleges that Mr. Ahmed is living significantly beyond his legitimate means as a public official.

The complaint, dated December 16, 2025, specifically points to substantial expenditures, including over $7 million allegedly spent on the education of Mr. Ahmed’s four children in Switzerland. The petition claims these payments were made upfront for a six-month period, without any discernible lawful source of income to justify such a massive outlay.

Furthermore, the petition accuses the NMDPRA boss of leveraging his position to siphon and divert public funds for personal enrichment and private interests. These alleged actions have reportedly fueled public anger and led to recent protests by various civil society groups.

According to the legal filing, Engr. Farouk Ahmed has engaged in a gross abuse of office, violating the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. The petition asserts that these actions have resulted in monumental corruption and the unlawful spending of millions of dollars in public funds.

The petition emphasizes that these alleged acts, including abuse of office, breach of conduct, corrupt enrichment, and embezzlement, fall squarely within the ICPC’s statutory mandate for investigation and prosecution. It reminds the commission of the legal penalties for such offenses, which include imprisonment.

Dangote has expressed his readiness to furnish evidence to corroborate the allegations of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office, and impunity leveled against the NMDPRA chief. The businessman stressed that swift action by the ICPC would uphold justice and protect the image of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, especially as the matter has garnered public attention.

This development marks a significant escalation in scrutiny of public officials within Nigeria’s vital petroleum sector. The allegations, if proven, could have far-reaching implications for the regulatory authority and the broader fight against corruption in the country.

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Keywords: Dangote petition, ICPC investigation, Farouk Ahmed corruption, NMDPRA chief, petroleum regulator, abuse of office, corrupt enrichment, public funds