Transparency and accountability have taken center stage in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry again, as business magnate Aliko Dangote makes a decisive move against alleged corruption.
Through his legal team, Dangote has officially filed a corruption petition against former Managing Director of the Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters.
This step follows the strategic withdrawal of a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a move aimed at speeding up the prosecution process.
Legal Action Filed by Dangote
The petition, signed by Dangote’s lead counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, calls on the EFCC to investigate allegations that Mr. Ahmed abused his office and enriched himself unlawfully.
Dangote has committed to providing concrete evidence of financial misconduct and impunity.
Dr. Onoja highlighted the EFCC’s authority and readiness to act, referencing key legal precedents: “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,” citing Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018).
He further urged EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede to thoroughly investigate the complaint and prosecute Mr. Ahmed if found guilty.
The petition emphasized that a swift response would not only address the current allegations but also deter other public officials from engaging in similar misconduct.
Allegations of Extravagant Spending
The allegations against Mr. Ahmed center on questions about his lifestyle and spending, which Dangote argues are far beyond what could be justified by his official earnings.
On December 14, 2025, Dangote publicly raised concerns over Mr. Ahmed’s financial dealings, noting that the former regulator’s children attended some of the most elite schools in Switzerland, costing millions of dollars in tuition and upkeep.
Dangote specified the schools attended by each child: Faisal Farouk at Montreux School, Farouk Jr. at Aiglon College, Ashraf Farouk at Institut Le Rosey, and Farhana Farouk at La Garenne International School.
Each child reportedly spent six years in these institutions, with annual costs estimated at $200,000 per child, totaling around $5 million for secondary education alone.
In addition, Dangote claimed Mr. Ahmed spent another $2 million on tertiary education, including $210,000 for Faisal’s 2025 Harvard MBA program.
“Nigerians deserve to know the source of these funds, especially when many parents in Mr. Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto struggle to pay as little as N10,000 in school fees,” Dangote stated.
Restoring Public Confidence
The petition underscores the need for a full and transparent investigation to hold public officials accountable and restore confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions.
Dangote’s move sends a strong message about his commitment to integrity and transparency in the oil and gas sector, highlighting the importance of responsible governance in critical national industries.
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