Olayiwola Matthew
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, has withdrawn his petition against Ahmed Farouk, former chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Dangote had written to the commission in December 2025 through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), accusing Farouk of corruption and financial impropriety.
In the petition, he requested Farouk’s arrest, investigation, and prosecution, alleging that the former NMDPRA boss was “living beyond his means,” and claimed Farouk spent more than $7 million to educate his four children in Switzerland over a six-year period without any evidence of legitimate income to support such spending.
Providing an update on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey said the businessman has formally withdrawn the petition, adding that Dangote’s lawyer noted that another law enforcement agency has taken over the matter.
However, the commission stressed that the withdrawal does not stop ongoing investigations.
“The letter from O.J. Onoja, SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency has taken over,” the statement read.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, the investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.”
“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.”
Farouk resigned as NMDPRA boss barely 24 hours after the petition was filed, following a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.