Dangote petitions EFCC, accuses ex-NMDPRA boss Farouk Ahmed of corruption

Chairman of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corruption involving the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

The petition, filed through Dangote’s legal team at the EFCC headquarters, was disclosed in a statement released on Friday by the Dangote Group media team.

According to the statement, the move followed Dangote’s recent withdrawal of a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which had been investigating allegations that Ahmed spent about $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC had announced its intention to continue with the probe.

Dangote’s legal team said the decision to approach the EFCC was a strategic step aimed at fast-tracking investigation and possible prosecution.

In the petition signed by lead counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed and to prosecute him if found culpable.

The petition stated that Dangote was prepared to provide evidence to support claims of financial misconduct and abuse of office.

“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 read, citing recent judicial precedents.

Onoja further called on the EFCC, under the leadership of its chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, to thoroughly investigate the allegations against Ahmed and take appropriate legal action if wrongdoing is established.