ICPC Insists on Probing Ex-NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Despite Dangote’s Petition Withdrawal

ICPC Insists on Probing Ex-NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Despite Dangote’s Petition Withdrawal

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has insisted it will continue its investigation into the sacked Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, despite the withdrawal of a petition earlier filed by Aliko Dangote.

Dangote had accused Ahmed of allegedly squandering $5 million on his children’s school fees, prompting the anti-graft agency to invite the billionaire businessman in December 2025 to formally adopt the petition, as required by law.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, the ICPC confirmed that Dangote had withdrawn the petition through his legal representatives.

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“The ICPC is in receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2026, titled Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, submitted by Dr O.J. Onoja, SAN & Associates, counsel to Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” the commission said.

According to the letter, the petitioner withdrew the petition dated December 16, 2025, in its entirety, citing that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.

Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC stated that its investigation had already commenced and would continue in line with its statutory mandate.

“The commission wishes to state categorically that, in accordance with Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of the ICPC Act, investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already begun and are presently ongoing,” the statement added.

The anti-corruption agency stressed that it would pursue the probe to its logical conclusion in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

ICPC Insists on Probing Ex-NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Despite Dangote’s Petition Withdrawal