Olayiwola Matthew
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has filed a petition with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging corruption and financial misconduct by Ahmed Farouk, Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
In a petition filed on December 16, Aliko Dangote called for the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Ahmed Farouk, accusing him of allegedly living beyond his means as a public servant.
The petition, addressed to ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), specifically alleged that Ahmed Farouk spent over $7 million—without any clear lawful income—on six years of upfront tuition for his four children at various Swiss schools.
In the petition, Dangote named the four children and their respective Swiss schools, detailing the amounts paid for each, to substantiate his allegations and facilitate verification by the ICPC.
He alleged that Farouk Ahmed was leveraging his position at NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain, to the detriment of Nigerians, actions which have sparked recent outcry and protests from various groups.
Dangote further claimed that Farouk Ahmed, having spent his adult life in Nigeria’s public sector, earned a total income far below the $7 million allegedly diverted from public funds to cover his teenage children’s education abroad.
Dangote said, “It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of Code of Conduct for public officers, Corrupt enrichment, embezzlement are gross Act of corrupt practices for which your Commission (ICPC) is statutorily empowered under section 19, of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute.
“Upon a successful prosecution of such a person, under section 19, of the ICPC Act, the person is liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine.
“We make bold to state that the ICPC is strategically positioned along the sister agencies to, prosecute financial crimes and other corruption related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the Courts do not hesitate to punish offenders.
“In view of the above, we call on the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complain of abuse of office and corruption against Engr Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly, prosecute him if found wanting.
“We have no reservation that being a matter that is in the public domain, the Commission will not close its eyes to it but act decisively to ensure that justice is done and the good image of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is protected.”
Dangote vowed to provide evidence to support his allegations of corrupt enrichment and abuse of office against NMDPRA’s Engineer Farouk Ahmed, pledging to be actively involved in the process.