Africa’s richest businessman and Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has filed a fresh corruption petition against the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The action was confirmed in a statement released on Friday by the Dangote Group, which said the petition was formally submitted at the EFCC headquarters through Dangote’s legal representatives.
According to the company, the decision to approach the EFCC followed the withdrawal of an earlier petition lodged with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a move described as deliberate and aimed at accelerating investigation and possible prosecution.
Legal documents attached to the petition, signed by senior advocate O.J. Onoja (SAN), called on the anti-graft agency to probe allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against the former regulator.
The petition noted that the EFCC, working alongside sister agencies, is well positioned to handle financial crime cases and ensure offenders are prosecuted where a prima facie case is established, citing relevant judicial authorities in support of its request.
Onoja urged the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to ensure a thorough investigation of the allegations and to initiate prosecution if the former NMDPRA chief is found culpable.
The legal team stressed that prompt handling of the case would not only serve justice but also discourage corrupt practices among public officials.
Dangote had earlier raised questions about Ahmed’s financial lifestyle, alleging that the former regulator lived far beyond his legitimate earnings while in office.
Specifically, the petition alleged that four of Ahmed’s children attended high-end secondary schools in Switzerland, including Montreux School, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey and La Garenne International School.
It claimed that each child spent about six years in the institutions, with estimated annual costs of about $200,000 per child, covering tuition, travel and upkeep.
Dangote further alleged that the total cost of secondary education for the children was about $5 million, while an additional $2 million was reportedly spent on their tertiary education, including a $210,000 Harvard MBA programme completed by one of the children in 2025.
He argued that Nigerians deserve clarity on the source of such funds, especially at a time when many families struggle to meet basic educational expenses.
The petition called for a comprehensive probe to promote accountability and restore confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory framework, reaffirming Dangote’s commitment to transparency in the oil and gas sector.
Meanwhile, the ICPC has maintained that its own investigation into the matter remains active despite the withdrawal of the petition.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the commission said it was formally notified of the withdrawal on January 5, 2026, but noted that its enabling law allows investigations to continue once commenced.
The anti-graft agency said the probe would proceed in the interest of public accountability and the fight against corruption.
Ahmed has denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and unfounded.
The disagreement between both parties is believed to have followed comments attributed to Ahmed in July 2024, in which he reportedly questioned the quality of locally refined petroleum products, including those produced by the Dangote Refinery.
