The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has officially vowed it will investigate the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
This decision follows a formal petition submitted on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, by Aliko Dangote.
The dispute between Dangote and Nigeria’s midstream/downstream regulator has reached a legal flashpoint this week. In a petition submitted through his counsel, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), Dangote accused Ahmed of living far beyond his legitimate earnings as a public officer.
The dispute is rooted in allegations of regulatory sabotage. Dangote claims the NMDPRA is frustrating local refining by continuing to issue import licenses, totaling 7.5 billion liters for Q1 2026, despite the Dangote Refinery’s capacity to meet domestic demand.
Dangote specifically alleges that Farouk Ahmed spent over $7 million on the education of his four children at elite schools in Switzerland, with fees reportedly paid upfront for a six-year period.
The petition made reference to Section 19 of the ICPC Act, which covers abuse of office and corrupt enrichment. If found guilty, the offense carries a five-year prison sentence with no option of a fine.
The industrialist argues that a career public servant could not have legitimately accumulated the funds required for such high-cost foreign education. He stressed that the petition serves as a basis for accountability rather than a personal vendetta.
The House of Representatives has summoned both parties to appear before its Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources to prevent the rift from destabilizing the economy.
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