ICPC to continue probe of ex-NMDPRA boss despite Dangote withdrawing petition
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said it will proceed with its investigation of a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Ahmed Farouk, despite the withdrawal of a petition earlier submitted by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.
The anti-graft agency confirmed that it received a formal notice of withdrawal of the petition through Dangote’s legal counsel but stressed that this development would not halt its probe, citing provisions of its enabling law.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, the commission said investigations had already commenced and were ongoing in line with its statutory mandate to promote transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption.
According to the ICPC, the letter dated January 5, 2026, titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed,” was submitted by Dr O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, acting on behalf of Dangote. The letter stated that the petition dated December 16, 2025, had been withdrawn in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
However, the commission maintained that sections 3(14) and 27(3) of the ICPC Act empower it to continue investigations in matters of public interest, regardless of the withdrawal of a petition by a complainant.
Dangote, chairman of the Dangote Group, had in December 2025 petitioned the ICPC, calling for the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Farouk over allegations of corruption and financial impropriety.
In the petition addressed to the ICPC chairman, Musa Aliyu (SAN), Dangote accused the former NMDPRA boss of living beyond his lawful means, alleging that he spent more than $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland over a six-year period.
The petition detailed the names of the children, their respective schools, and the amounts allegedly paid, arguing that Farouk’s lifetime earnings as a public servant could not justify such expenditure. Dangote further alleged that Farouk used the instrumentality of the NMDPRA to divert public funds for personal benefit, claims which reportedly triggered protests by some groups.
Farouk has denied the allegations, describing them as wild and spurious.
The dispute between both men dates back to July 2024, when Farouk reportedly stated that locally refined petroleum products, including those from the Dangote refinery, were inferior to imported products.