The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has formally invited Aliko Dangote, to provide evidence over his allegation claims against the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.
He who alleges must prove… ICPC has set up a panel of crack investigators on Dangote’s petition. The Chairman has asked the team to stay action on other cases and focus on this – ICPC.
The probe follows allegations by Dangote, who claims that the former regulator engaged in economic sabotage and lived far beyond his legitimate means as a public servant.
Dangote, through his lawyer Ogwu Onoja (SAN), submitted a petition on Tuesday, December 16, demanding the investigation and prosecution of Ahmed for alleged corrupt enrichment and abuse of office.
Dangote also accused the NMDPRA of undermining his refinery by issuing reckless import licenses for refined products despite the capacity of his refinery to meet domestic demand.
According to Ahmed, the reason for issuing the import license was because Dangote diesel was of inferior quality compared to imported fuel,
The central piece of evidence in the petition is the allegation that Ahmed paid over $7 million upfront for the secondary and tertiary education of his four children in elite Swiss schools, including Institut Le Rosey and Aiglon College.
Despite Farouk Ahmed’s resignation from the NMDPRA on Wednesday, December 17, the ICPC has declared that the probe will continue, as Section 19 of the ICPC Act holds public officers accountable for actions taken while in office.
Dangote accuses Ahmed of sabotaging the Nigerian economy by colluding with international oil traders to flood the local market with imported fuel, thereby stalling the benefits of domestic refining.
Investigation formally commences on Monday, December 22, as Dangote or his legal team is to be at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja to adopt the petition.
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