Business mogul Aliko Dangote has formally approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with corruption allegations against the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.
The billionaire industrialist’s petition, which was submitted to the anti-graft agency’s headquarters, centres on claims of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment during Ahmed’s tenure at the regulatory body.
Dangote Group’s media office confirmed the development yesterday in a statement, revealing that the move represents a strategic shift in the prosecution of the matter.
The conglomerate had initially lodged a similar petition with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, accusing Ahmed of allegedly expending $5 million on his children’s secondary school education in Switzerland—a sum considered disproportionate to his known legitimate earnings.
The group, however, withdrew the petition from the ICPC earlier this week, though the commission indicated its determination to proceed with investigations despite the withdrawal.
According to yesterday’s statement, the fresh petition to the EFCC was informed by the need to expedite legal action against the former regulatory chief.
“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,” the statement explained.
In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, the Dangote Group urged the EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and, where culpability is established, ensure swift prosecution in accordance with extant laws.
The EFCC has not issued any official response regarding the petition as of press time.
Ahmed, who headed the NMDPRA during a period of significant policy shifts in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, has yet to publicly address the allegations.