The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigating a petition filed by the President of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.
Sources within the EFCC disclosed that the probe includes plans to contact a Swiss school where Ahmed’s children are reportedly enrolled, as part of efforts to verify allegations contained in the petition.
In December 2025, Dangote had initially petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that Ahmed spent about $7 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. Dangote accused the former NMDPRA boss of abusing his office and violating the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by allegedly expending public funds running into millions of dollars.
Although the ICPC acknowledged receipt of the petition, it said investigations would continue in line with its statutory powers. Dangote later withdrew the petition from the ICPC through a letter dated January 5, 2026. However, on July 6, the Dangote Group announced that a fresh petition had been submitted to the EFCC, prompting the commission to take up the matter.
Confirming the development, a senior EFCC official said the commission had commenced preliminary investigations but had not yet invited Ahmed for questioning. According to the source, the agency is first engaging all parties and institutions mentioned in the petition, both locally and internationally, to gather relevant information.
“We have started groundwork by writing to all parties referenced in the petition. The accused is usually the last to be invited, after all necessary information has been obtained,” the official said.
Another EFCC source added that some claims in the petition would need to be independently verified, which may involve contacting the Swiss school mentioned.
The EFCC noted that writing to educational institutions is a standard procedure in cases involving alleged misuse of public funds for school fees. In a previous investigation involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, the commission confirmed payments of over $845,000 in school fees to the American International School of Abuja, part of which was later deemed refundable.
The EFCC said investigations into the petition against Ahmed are ongoing.