Dangote Petitions EFCC Over Alleged Corruption By Former NMDPRA Boss

Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of corruption and abuse of office against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.

The petition, filed through Dangote’s legal representatives, was submitted at the EFCC headquarters and formally requests a comprehensive investigation into allegations of corrupt enrichment and official misconduct allegedly committed by the former petroleum regulator chief.

This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Dangote Group media team, which explained that the decision to approach the EFCC followed the withdrawal of an earlier petition submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to the statement, the withdrawal of the ICPC petition was a “strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process,” even as the anti-graft agency had indicated it would continue its investigation into the matter.

Dangote had previously asked the ICPC to probe Ahmed over allegations that he spent about $5m on the secondary education of his children in Switzerland, an expenditure said to be inconsistent with his known legitimate income at the time.

The allegations raised concerns over possible illicit enrichment while in public office.
In the fresh petition addressed to the EFCC and signed by lead counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the commission to investigate what he described as credible allegations of abuse of office and corruption, and to prosecute the former NMDPRA managing director if found culpable.

The petition stated that Dangote is prepared to provide documentary and other evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct, abuse of office, and impunity allegedly committed by Ahmed during his tenure.

“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 read, citing recent judicial precedents, including Lawan v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2024) and Shema v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2018).

Onoja further called on the EFCC, under the leadership of its Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, to deploy the commission’s investigative and prosecutorial powers to ensure accountability and uphold public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.

The EFCC has yet to issue an official response to the petition as of the time of filing this report.