Dangote Petitions ICPC Over Alleged Corruption By NMDPRA MD Ahmed Farouk

Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has written a formal petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

In the petition, Dangote accused the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk, of corruption and misuse of public funds.

The petition, dated December 16 and submitted through Dangote’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), calls on the ICPC to investigate, arrest, and prosecute Farouk.

Dangote alleged that the NMDPRA boss has been living far beyond what his official income as a public servant can justify.

According to the petition addressed to the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu (SAN), Dangote accused Farouk of spending more than $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland over a six-year period, without any clear proof of legitimate income to support such expenses.

The petition reportedly included the names of the children, the schools they attended, and the amounts paid, to allow the anti-graft agency to verify the claims.

Dangote further alleged that Farouk used his position at the NMDPRA to divert public funds for personal use and private interests, actions he said have contributed to recent public protests and criticism of the agency.

He argued that Farouk has spent his entire working life in Nigeria’s public sector and could not have legally earned anywhere near the amount allegedly used to fund his children’s education abroad.

Dangote claimed the money was taken from public funds meant to serve Nigerians.

In the petition, Dangote stated that the allegations amount to abuse of office, violation of the code of conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment, and embezzlement.

He noted that under the ICPC Act, such offences are punishable by up to five years in prison if proven.

He urged the commission to act decisively, saying it has both the authority and responsibility to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.

Dangote added that taking action would also help protect the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of Code of Conduct for public officers, Corrupt enrichment, embezzlement are gross Act of corrupt practices for which your Commission (ICPC) is statutorily empowered under section 19, of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” Dangote said.

“Upon a successful prosecution of such a person, under section 19, of the ICPC Act, the person is liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine.

“We make bold to state that the ICPC is strategically positioned along the sister agencies to, prosecute financial crimes and other corruption related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the Courts do not hesitate to punish offenders.

“In view of the above, we call on the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complain of abuse of office and corruption against Engr Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly, prosecute him if found wanting.

“We have no reservation that being a matter that is in the public domain, the Commission will not close its eyes to it but act decisively to ensure that justice is done and the good image of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is protected.”

The businessman said he is ready to provide evidence to support his claims against the NMDPRA boss.

KanyiDaily recalls that Aliko Dangote recently made the allegations against Ahmed Farouk, questioning how a regulator could afford millions of dollars in foreign school fees for his children.