The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has firmly stated that its investigation into Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), will continue regardless of the withdrawal of the original petition by billionaire businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote
The ICPC confirmed receipt of a formal withdrawal letter dated January 5, 2026, submitted by Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, on behalf of Dangote. The letter explicitly withdrew the petition originally filed on December 16, 2025, in its entirety, stating that “another law enforcement agency has taken over” the matter.
Despite this, the anti-corruption agency emphasized its independence and statutory duty to proceed. In an official statement, the ICPC declared:
“The letter from O.J Onoja SAN, states that the petitionerhas withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025,submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, theinvestigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and theNigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.
“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matterin line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.”
The original petition stemmed from a high-profile feud in late 2025 between Dangote whose massive refinery has clashed repeatedly with regulators over importation policies, pricing, and market dominance and Ahmed during his tenure at NMDPRA. Dangote accused Ahmed of corrupt enrichment, alleging the regulator spent over $5 million on his children’s school fees at exclusive Swiss institutions expenditures allegedly inconsistent with a public servant’s legitimate income.
The allegations escalated into a major scandal, contributing to Ahmed’s resignation in December 2025 (alongside the NUPRC boss), President Bola Tinubu later nominated a replacement for the NMDPRA leadership.
Dangote’s initial petition to the ICPC demanded Ahmed’s arrest, investigation, and prosecution for abuse of office, corruption, and living beyond his means.
