The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it will probe allegations of corruption and financial impropriety brought against the chief executive officer and managing director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.
Spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, John Okor Odey, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to confirm that it received a formal petition today, Tuesday, 16th December 2025, from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer. The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed,” ICPC said in a statement on Tuesday by its spokesperson, John Odey.
It added, “The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated.”
Mr Dangote, in the petition, urged the anti-graft agency to arrest, investigate, and prosecute Mr Ahmed for allegedly living far beyond his lawful means as a public servant.
The businessman accused the NMDPRA boss of spending over $7 million on enrolling his four children in different schools in Switzerland over a six-year period. Mr Dangote said the amount could not be justified by Mr Ahmed’s earnings in public service.
Mr Dangote also named Mr Ahmed’s four children and their respective schools in Switzerland, as well as the alleged amounts paid for each, to enable the anti-graft agency to verify his claims.
He alleged that Mr Ahmed used the instrumentality of the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain and private interests. The business magnate said this contributed to recent public protests and unrest in the downstream petroleum sector.
Mr Dangote also argued that Mr Ahmed had spent his entire adult working life in Nigeria’s public sector and that his legitimate earnings could not account for the alleged expenditure on his children’s education abroad.
“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the code of conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment, and embezzlement constitute gross acts of corruption,” Mr Dangote said, citing Section 19 of the ICPC Act.
He added that the offence carries a penalty of five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine upon conviction.
Mr Dangote further urged the ICPC to act decisively in investigating the allegations, stressing that the matter is already in the public domain and warning against inaction.
“We call on the commission under your leadership to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to prosecute him if found wanting,” the petition read.
The billionaire businessman also said he was ready to provide evidence to support his allegations and expressed confidence that a thorough investigation would help protect the image of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The NMDPRA’s managing director is yet to respond to the allegation.
