Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has begun preliminary investigations into a petition filed against Farouk Ahmed, former managing director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The petition was submitted by Aliko Dangote through his legal representatives and accuses Ahmed of abusing his office and allegedly using public funds to pay for his children’s education abroad.
According to the petition, Ahmed reportedly spent about $7 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland, an action said to violate the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
Dangote had initially submitted the complaint to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in December 2025. Although the petition was later withdrawn in January 2026, the ICPC stated that it would continue its investigation in line with its statutory powers.
Subsequently, the Dangote Group submitted a fresh petition to the EFCC in July 2026. A senior EFCC official confirmed that the commission has commenced work on the matter but has not yet invited Ahmed for questioning.
The official explained that the commission is currently writing to institutions and individuals mentioned in the petition, including foreign educational institutions, to verify claims and obtain relevant documents.
“The accused is usually invited after all preliminary investigations and verifications have been completed,” the source said, adding that both local and international engagements are required at this stage of the probe.
Another EFCC source confirmed that the commission may contact the Swiss school named in the petition as part of efforts to establish the facts.
The EFCC noted that similar steps have been taken in past investigations involving alleged misuse of public funds for overseas school fees.
