Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Farouk Ahmed, the former CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
KanyiDaily recalls that Dangote had accused Ahmed of abusing his office, amassing wealth illegally, and living beyond his means.
Earlier, he had filed a petition with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations that Ahmed spent $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland.
Dangote recently withdrew that petition, though the ICPC said it would continue its investigation.
In a new petition to EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede, Dangote requested a probe into Ahmed for “financial misconduct, violation of the code of conduct for public officers, and related offences”.
A statement on Friday explained that moving the petition to the EFCC was a “strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
The petition, signed by Dangote’s lead counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja, called on the EFCC to investigate allegations of corrupt enrichment and abuse of office and to prosecute Ahmed if evidence confirms wrongdoing.
The petition stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.
“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. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition read.
Onoja urged the EFCC, under Olukoyede’s leadership, to “investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Farouk Ahmed resigned as the Managing Director of the NMDPRA following corruption allegations made against him by Aliko Dangote.
