Dangote withdraws petition against Farouk Ahmed — but ICPC says probe continues
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, has withdrawn a petition he filed against Ahmed Farouk, the immediate past chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Dangote had, in December 2025, petitioned the anti-corruption agency through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, alleging corruption and financial impropriety against Farouk. The petition called for Farouk’s arrest, investigation and prosecution, accusing him of living beyond his means while in public office.
According to the petition, the former NMDPRA boss allegedly spent more than $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland over a six-year period, without providing evidence of lawful income to support such expenditure.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, said the commission received a letter from Dangote’s lawyer notifying it of the withdrawal of the petition in its entirety. The letter also indicated that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC said its investigation into the allegations would continue. Odey explained that investigations had already commenced in line with the commission’s statutory powers.
“The letter from O.J. Onoja, SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16 December 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency has taken over,” the statement said.
The commission added that under sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, it is empowered to proceed with investigations in the interest of the Nigerian public and the state.
“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria,” the statement added.
Farouk resigned from his position as NMDPRA chief executive less than 24 hours after the petition was submitted to the ICPC, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
