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), at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The development was confirmed by the Dangote Group media team in a statement released on Friday.
This legal action follows Dangote’s recent withdrawal of a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The earlier complaint had accused Ahmed of allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland.
Dangote’s team noted that the move to approach the EFCC was “a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
The petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, urges the EFCC to investigate Ahmed for abuse of office and corrupt enrichment. It also stated that Dangote is prepared to provide evidence to support the allegations.
“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 EFCC leadership under Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, “To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”