…as SERAP urges CCB, EFCC, ICPC to investigate corruption allegations
By Seun Ibiyemi
The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has summoned the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the leadership of the NMDPRA to provide detailed explanations regarding the issues between both organizations.
The Committee Chairman, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, announced the legislative intervention following an emergency meeting convened to address what he described as growing tension capable of undermining recent stability achieved in the downstream sector.
Ugochinyere noted that the primary objective of the committee is to preserve sector stability while government and industry stakeholders collaborate to ensure consistent supply, pricing, and regulation in the post-subsidy era.
Ugochinyere emphasised that understanding the root causes ranging from allegations of arbitrary licensing to product quality concerns is essential for the National Assembly to broker lasting solutions.
“We can only find sustainable solutions when we identify the critical issues leading to this tension. That is why the committee resolved to invite Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA chief to meet with us and give insights into what is driving these allegations and counter-allegations,” the lawmaker stated.
Pending the outcome of the legislative inquiry, the committee has appealed to both parties to observe a ceasefire regarding public exchanges and media statements.
The committee also confirmed receipt of petitions concerning critical industry issues, including the issuance of import licences and the capacity of domestic refineries to meet daily demand, promising that these matters would be thoroughly examined.
In a related development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate allegations of corruption within the NMDPRA.
The petition follows allegations made by Aliko Dangote that the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, arbitrarily issues licences for the importation of petroleum products from Russia and allegedly spent $5 million on the secondary school education of his children in Switzerland.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Olawole Oluwadare, urged the anti-corruption agencies to jointly and urgently invite Engr. Farouk Ahmed to explain these allegations.
He argued that investigating the matter would improve transparency in the management of the country’s natural wealth and aligns with Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the state to abolish all corrupt practices.
The organisation also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the protection of Aliko Dangote as a whistleblower, consistent with Article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption.
SERAP maintained that Dangote’s disclosures are in the public interest and contribute to strengthening accountability in the oil and gas sector.