Chairman of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, through his legal representative, has filed a formal corruption petition against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Dangote Group media team.
The petition comes days after Dangote withdrew a similar complaint filed before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in which he accused Ahmed of allegedly spending about $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC had said it would continue its investigation.
According to the statement, the decision to approach 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 addressed to the EFCC and signed by Dangote’s lead counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, the businessman urged the anti-graft agency to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment levelled against Ahmed and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition further indicated that Dangote is prepared to provide documentary and other forms of evidence to substantiate the 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,” the petition stated, citing relevant judicial authorities in support of the EFCC’s mandate.
Onoja specifically urged the commission, under the leadership of its Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, to thoroughly investigate the allegations against Ahmed and take appropriate legal action if the former regulatory chief is found wanting.
As of the time of filing this report, Farouk Ahmed has not publicly responded to the allegations.
