Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, has officially lodged a corruption complaint against Farouk Ahmed, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The filing was made through Dangote’s legal representative.
The complaint, confirmed by the Dangote Group’s media team on Friday, follows an earlier petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). That initial petition accused Ahmed of spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. While Dangote recently withdrew the ICPC petition, the commission stated that its investigation would continue independently.
According to the statement, the withdrawal was a deliberate move aimed at accelerating the legal process, allowing the EFCC to take the lead on the matter.
The new petition before the EFCC alleges financial misconduct, abuse of office, and corrupt enrichment on the part of Ahmed. Dangote has urged the commission to carry out a thorough investigation and prosecute if evidence of wrongdoing is found.
Signed by Dangote’s lead counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, the petition highlights the company’s readiness to present extensive evidence supporting the claims of mismanagement and impunity. Onoja emphasized the EFCC’s pivotal role, alongside other anti-corruption agencies, in tackling financial crimes.
The petition also referenced previous court rulings to underline the importance of swift legal action: “We assert that the commission is strategically positioned, together with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences. Once a prima facie case is established, the courts do not hesitate to sanction offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1624) 337.”
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Dr. Onoja called on EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede to ensure a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of abuse of office and corruption, urging that appropriate legal action be taken if the evidence supports the claims.
