Dangote Files Fresh Corruption Petition Against Ex-Petroleum Regulator Boss at EFCC

Dangote Files Fresh Corruption Petition Against Ex-Petroleum Regulator Boss at EFCC

Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, has filed a fresh corruption petition against Farouk Ahmed, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Dangote Group media office and made available to journalists.

According to the statement, Dangote’s decision to approach the EFCC followed the recent withdrawal of a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The company described the move as a “strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”

Dangote had earlier petitioned the ICPC, alleging that Ahmed spent about $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland, funds which were suspected to be proceeds of corruption. Although Dangote later withdrew the petition, the ICPC had indicated its intention to continue investigations.

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In the fresh petition to the EFCC, signed by Dangote’s Lead Counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, the business mogul urged the anti-graft agency to investigate allegations of abuse of office, corrupt enrichment, and financial malfeasance against the former petroleum regulator.

The petition stated that Dangote is prepared to provide documentary and material evidence to substantiate the allegations, stressing that the EFCC is well-positioned to handle corruption-related offences in collaboration with other agencies.

“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders,” the petition read, citing recent Supreme Court decisions in Lawan v. F.R.N. (2024) and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018).

Dr. Onoja further called on the EFCC, under the leadership of its Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, to thoroughly investigate the allegations against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.

Dangote Files Fresh Corruption Petition Against Ex-Petroleum Regulator Boss at EFCC