More trouble for ex-NMDPRA boss as Dangote files formal corruption petition

Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has filed a formal corruption petition against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The development was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Dangote Group on Friday.

According to the statement, the petition was submitted through Dangote’s legal team and follows the withdrawal of an earlier petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a move described as strategic and aimed at expediting prosecution.

The petition, signed by lead counsel, O.J. Onoja, SAN, urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr Ahmed and to prosecute him if found culpable.

“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders,” the petition stated, citing Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1624) 337.

Onoja further called on the EFCC, under the leadership of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, “to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting”.

The petition also stressed that a swift handling of the matter “is not only imperative and expedient but will also serve as a deterrent to other public officers with such corrupt proneness and tendencies”.