The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has withdrawn his petition against the immediate past hief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk.
Dangote had, in December 2024, petitioned the anti-graft agency through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, accusing Farouk of alleged corruption and financial misconduct.
He urged the commission to arrest, investigate and prosecute the former regulator, claiming that Farouk was “living beyond his means” while in public office.
In the petition, Dangote alleged that Farouk spent over “$7 million on the education of his four children” in Switzerland within six years, without lawful income to justify the expenditure.
Providing an update on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey said the commission received a formal notice of withdrawal from Dangote’s lawyer, stating that the petition had been withdrawn in full and that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
However, Odey emphasised that the withdrawal would not halt the commission’s actions, noting that investigations had already begun.
“The letter from O.J. Onoja, SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety and that another law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 read.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, the investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.”
The commission added that it would proceed with the probe in line with its statutory responsibilities, stressing its commitment to transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption.
It will be recalled that less than 24 hours after the petition was submitted, Farouk resigned from his position as NMDPRA chief following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
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