The Chairman of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, through his legal representative, has formally filed a corruption petition against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The petition, disclosed by the Dangote Group media team on Friday, follows a prior petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) alleging that Ahmed spent $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland.
Although Dangote withdrew the initial petition a few days ago, the ICPC confirmed that its investigation would continue.
The statement revealed that Dangote’s decision to withdraw the petition from the ICPC was part of a strategic move to expedite the legal process.
The petition now before the EFCC accuses Ahmed of financial misconduct, abuse of office, and corrupt enrichment, with Dangote urging the EFCC to thoroughly investigate the claims and prosecute if evidence of wrongdoing is found.
The legal petition, signed by Dangote’s Lead Counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja, provides that Dangote is prepared to present substantial evidence to support the allegations of financial mismanagement and impunity against Ahmed.
In the petition, Dangote’s legal team emphasised the crucial role of the EFCC and other sister agencies in combating financial crimes and corruption.
They also referenced previous legal cases to support their call for swift action. The petition stated: “We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences. 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.”
Onoja further called on the EFCC, under the leadership of Olanipekun Olukoyede, to fully investigate the allegations of abuse of office and corruption against Farouk Ahmed. He urged the commission to take appropriate legal action if the investigation finds evidence to substantiate the claims.