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The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related offences Commission (ICPC) against Ahmed Farouk, Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The petition, dated Dec 16, 2025, was received by the office of Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, the Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Dangote, in the petition, submitted through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, called on the ICPC to arrest, investigate and prosecute the NMDPRA boss for allegedly living far beyond his legitimate means as a public servant.
The oil magnate in his petition accused Farouk of spending more than $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland.
He alleged that Farouk paid upfront for a six-month period, without any lawful source of income to justify such expenditure.
Dangote, in the petition, named the four children and the Swiss schools they attend, the amount paid for each of them, to enable the ICPC to verify the claims.
He further alleged that Farouk used the instrumentality of the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain and private interests.
He claimed the actions had fuelled public outrage and recent protests by various groups.
According to him, Farouk has spent his entire adult working life in the Nigerian public sector and could not, based on his legitimate earnings over the years, have accumulated funds close to the alleged seven million dollars used to finance his children’s education abroad.
“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement are gross acts of corrupt practices for which your Commission is statutorily empowered under Section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” Dangote said.
He added that upon successful prosecution under the same provision of the law, the offence attracts a prison term of five years without an option of a fine
Dangote, during a press briefing in Lagos on Sunday, made some allegations against the NMDPRA boss, where he spoke on regulatory failures and alleged corruption in the downstream petroleum sector.
He stated that the allegations, if left unanswered, would continue to undermine public trust and investor confidence.
In June 2025, similar allegations were raised against Farouk by a group of protesters in Abuja, who marched to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Code of Conduct Bureau and ICPC, demanding his immediate resignation, alleging that he had turned his office into a personal estate.
The NMDPRA, however, debunked all the allegations, describing them as an orchestrated smear campaign based on false claims against the Chief Executive Officer and his leadership.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) a civil society organisation (CSO), has called on Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies to investigate alleged unexplained wealth involving Mr. Ahmed.
President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, in a viral media report accused Ahmed of living above his income.
He alleged that Ahmed paid five million dollars in school fees for his children studying abroad.
Dangote is a major player in Nigeria’s lucrative oil industry with his Dangote refinery producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as fuel for local consumption and export.
He claims that by issuing fresh fuel import licences, NMDPRA, the regulator, was undermining local crude oil refiners such as his firm.
Mr. Nelson Nwafor, Executive Director, FENRAD, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, said it was imperative for Ahmed to be investigated.
He said the allegations, though unproven, raised serious public interest concerns that require urgent scrutiny.
According to Nwafor, the allegations are too weighty to be ignored by anti-corruption agencies.
He, however, acknowledged that Ahmed remained innocent until proven otherwise.
Nwafor, therefore, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), among others to step into the matter.
He said the allegation should also be of interest to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal.
Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI), Ibrahim Bello, has dismissed the allegations.
He said: “Our findings clearly show that Mr Farouk Ahmed has not engaged in any corrupt practice
“Rather, he has been repositioning the downstream sector to promote fairness, competition and efficiency, while ensuring that no single entity monopolises the industry to the detriment of Nigerians,” media quoted him as saying.
Similarly, ActionAid Nigeria has requested presidential engagement and an independent public review regarding allegations involving Ahmed, reinforcing accountability and transparency.
Dr Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, presented the appeal in a statement released in Abuja, emphasising institutional integrity, citizen trust, and timely responses that strengthen democratic governance nationwide.
Mamedu referenced media reports alleging education expenses for four children, noting the claims remained unproven, while encouraging calm, lawful scrutiny that upheld due process, fairness, and respect for all parties involved.
Mamedu urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to begin an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation, with findings publicly disclosed.
ActionAid Nigeria commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote for responsibly raising concerns, highlighting the positive civic value of speaking up, and encouraging citizens, professionals, and businesses to report suspected wrongdoing in good faith.
He emphasised protecting whistleblowers, describing them as essential partners in safeguarding public resources, strengthening accountability systems, and fostering a culture where ethical conduct was rewarded and corruption was consistently discouraged nationwide.
Mamedu observed that the allegations invited broader reflection on governance, promoting reforms that encouraged modest leadership, verifiable incomes, and responsible stewardship, helping reduce inequality and expand opportunities for all Nigerians nationwide.
He highlighted petroleum supply concerns, supporting investment in functional local refineries to achieve fair pricing, energy security, and reduced import dependence, ensuring vulnerable Nigerians benefited from competitive, and transparent market practices.
ActionAid noted that ending impunity would strengthen democracy, restore trust in institutions, and reaffirm public service as a platform for national development, professionalism, and inclusive growth rather than personal enrichment nationwide.
The organisation encouraged prompt clarification from the official concerned, alongside strengthened asset declarations, verification, and public access, empowering citizens, legislators, and oversight bodies to collaboratively advance transparency and accountable governance nationwide.
ActionAid called on Nigerians to actively monitor public resources, engage institutions constructively, report concerns responsibly, and sustain collective demand for accountability, fairness, and effective service delivery across all levels of government.
By Isaac Aregbesola, Justina Auta and Perpetua Onuegbu
