The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that it will investigate allegations of corruption leveled against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, following a formal petition by President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Dangote had publicly accused Ahmed of corruption during a press briefing in Lagos on Sunday, alleging that the NMDPRA boss spent between $5 million and $7 million on the secondary school education of his four children in Switzerland—an amount he claimed could not be justified by Ahmed’s earnings as a public servant.
On Tuesday, the ICPC confirmed receipt of the petition through Dangote’s lawyer. In a statement, the commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, said the allegations would be “duly investigated.”
According to the petition, Ahmed allegedly paid more than $7 million upfront over six years for his children’s education in multiple Swiss schools, without evidence of lawful income to support such expenditure. Dangote provided the ICPC with the names of the children, the schools attended, and the specific amounts paid, urging the commission to verify the claims.
Dangote argued that the alleged actions amounted to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment, and embezzlement, offences which he said fall squarely within the ICPC’s powers under Section 19 of its enabling Act. He further accused the NMDPRA boss of diverting public funds for private use.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has also resolved to probe Ahmed over the alleged payment of millions of dollars in foreign tuition fees and the continued issuance of petrol import licences despite claims of sufficient local supply.
The House’s decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by Midala Usman, who cited Sections 88(1) and (2) of the Constitution, empowering the National Assembly to investigate the activities of any authority charged with implementing federal laws. Usman also referenced the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which assigns NMDPRA responsibility for regulating midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
The lawmaker warned that the ongoing dispute between the NMDPRA and the Dangote Refinery, if left unresolved, could escalate into a fuel supply crisis during the festive season and beyond. He described the Dangote Refinery as a strategic national investment capable of reducing fuel imports, conserving foreign exchange, and stabilising domestic supply.
Usman further lamented the lack of transparency in petrol pricing, noting that frequent price fluctuations occur without clear public disclosure of refinery gantry prices, regulatory cost assumptions, and the comparative benefits of local refining over imports.
Following deliberations, the House mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Midstream and Downstream) to investigate the dispute and related allegations and submit a report within four weeks for further legislative action.
