The Chairman of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, has formally lodged a corruption complaint against Farouk Ahmed, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters. This was confirmed in a statement released by the Dangote Group’s media team on Friday.
Dangote had previously approached the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) regarding Ahmed’s alleged misuse of $5 million for his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. That petition was recently withdrawn, though the ICPC pledged to continue its investigation.
According to the statement, the decision to move the case to the EFCC was “a strategic step to expedite the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja, Dangote requested that the EFCC probe allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed and prosecute him if evidence confirms wrongdoing.
The petition emphasized that Dangote is prepared to provide supporting evidence of financial misconduct and impunity, adding:
“The commission, along with its sister agencies, is well-positioned to handle financial crimes and corruption-related offences. Where a prima facie case is established, the courts act decisively to punish offenders (see Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337).”
Onoja urged the EFCC, led by Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, to thoroughly investigate the complaint and prosecute Ahmed if found culpable.