Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries, on Friday, January 9, filed a formal corruption petition through his legal representative against the former managing director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Dangote Group media team.
Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland.
He withdrew the petition a few days ago, though the ICPC has vowed to continue its investigation.
The statement said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed “The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by lead counsel O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed, and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition further stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish 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,” the petition read.
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Olanipekun Olukoyede, to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.
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