The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies to urgently investigate allegations of corruption within the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
SERAP, in a statement released on Monday, urged the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate the claims, identify those responsible, recover any proceeds of corruption, and ensure accountability.
The request follows public allegations made by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote, who raised concerns about NMDPRA’s licensing practices and the alleged personal expenditure by its chief executive.
SERAP specifically asked the agencies to invite the Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, for interrogation over allegations that the authority arbitrarily issues licences for the importation of petroleum products from Russia.
“The anticorruption agencies should jointly and urgently invite the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed to explain the allegations that NMDPRA arbitrarily issues licences for the importation of petroleum products from Russia and that he spent $5 million on the secondary school education of four of his children in Switzerland and for interrogation and questioning over the allegations,” SERAP stated.
The rights group cited Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the Nigerian state to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power.
It also referenced Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which requires effective and proportionate sanctions for corruption-related offences.
“The allegations by Mr. Aliko Dangote amount to public interest disclosures and can contribute to strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s natural wealth and resources,” the organisation said.
Speaking during a media briefing on challenges in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector on Sunday, Dangote raised several allegations against the NMDPRA and its leadership.
Aside from the allegations of corruption, Dangote alleged that the agency has been releasing figures that do not accurately reflect the actual production at its Lekki-based refinery, insisting that the regulator’s reports present a distorted view of operations.