The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has summoned businessman Aliko Dangote to gather more information regarding his petition against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.
Dangote is expected to either appear in person or send his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), tomorrow when the ICPC’s thorough investigation of the petition officially kicks off.
The commission assembled a panel of skilled investigators on Friday to manage the inquiry, as reported by The Legal Observer.
According to sources, the ICPC has requested Dangote to submit his evidence to the anti-graft agency.
Dangote has accused Farouk of corruption and misappropriation, particularly spending millions on the education of his four children in expensive schools in Switzerland.
The businessman claims that Farouk has engaged in economic sabotage by undermining domestic refining while allegedly conspiring with international traders and oil importers through the issuance of import licenses.
Despite Farouk’s resignation, the commission has stated it will proceed with the investigation.
“All is set for the inquiry,” a well-placed source within the ICPC informed journalists yesterday.
“ICPC has formed a top-notch panel of investigators to handle Dangote’s petition. The commission’s chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), instructed this trusted team to focus on Dangote’s petition, underscoring the significance of this case,” the source explained.
“We have also invited Dangote or his attorney to come on Monday to formally present the petition. One of them will be required to provide relevant documents or evidence supporting the claims.
“He who alleges must prove or provide leads concerning the allegations that our investigators will act upon.
“We have acknowledged receipt of the petition in line with our guidelines which mandate us to do so within 48 hours.”
The source further stated: “After formal adoption of the petition, we will isolate issues and request Ahmed to respond to the allegations.
“We have received numerous inquiries, but I assure you ICPC will treat all parties fairly.”
When asked a question, the source added: “Ahmed’s resignation does not impact this investigation, which serves the public interest.”
“Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (ICPC Act 2000) states that it is an offense for any public officer to utilize their position to confer an unfair or corrupt advantage on themselves, their relatives, associates, or other public officers. Anyone found guilty of such an offense is liable to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
“The enabling law also imposes severe penalties for individuals found to have wasted the ICPC’s resources by making malicious or frivolous allegations against others.”
In the petition submitted on Tuesday through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), Dangote called for the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Farouk for allegedly living beyond his means as a public servant.
He accused Farouk of “spending without evidence of lawful means of income amounting to over $7 million for the education of his four children” in Switzerland.
The petition detailed the names of the children and their respective schools, providing specific amounts paid for verification.
“Engr Farouk Ahmed spent a staggering amount of over $7 million in public funds for his children’s education in various schools in Switzerland over six years, without evidence of lawful income,” Dangote alleged.
“It is clear that these actions constitute gross abuse of office, breach of public officer conduct, corrupt enrichment, and embezzlement, which the ICPC is mandated to investigate and prosecute under section 19 of the ICPC Act,” Dangote added.
The escalating conflict between Dangote and petroleum regulators previously led to a N100 billion lawsuit.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE filed a N100 billion suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging import licenses issued by the NMDPRA and others, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The refinery accused the regulator of granting licenses to import refined petroleum products despite domestic production capabilities.
It alleged that this action violated certain sections of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The lawsuit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, was discontinued in July 2025 by Dangote’s legal representatives.
According to ICPC petition guidelines: “Any person worldwide may lodge a complaint against any individual (corporate or otherwise) in Nigeria when reasonable grounds exist for suspecting that the person has conspired to commit or attempted to commit or has committed an offense under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
### Procedures for Submitting a Petition to the Agency
Complaints or petitions can be made via oral or written reports submitted through post or directly to any ICPC office in Nigeria.
An oral complaint made by an illiterate individual shall be documented and reviewed to the complainant by an ICPC officer.
The report must detail the complaint, including the date, time, and location of the alleged offense.
The complainant should provide names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and other pertinent information to assist the ICPC in locating the accused.
The complainant must also give their full address, email, phone number, or any other information necessary for the commission to contact them if needed.
Reports can also be submitted online through any of the commission’s reporting platforms.
The ICPC will acknowledge receipt of any petition within 48 hours.
John Okor Odey, spokesperson for the ICPC, confirmed that the commission “received a formal petition on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer. The petition alleges misconduct by the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed. The ICPC assures that the petition will be thoroughly investigated.”
