Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has formally petitioned Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, accusing the head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of corruption, abuse of office and illicit enrichment.
In a petition submitted on December 16 to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dangote urged the agency to investigate, arrest and prosecute the NMDPRA’s Managing Director, Ahmed Farouk, over allegations that he is living far beyond his legitimate income as a public official.
The petition, written on Dangote’s behalf by senior advocate Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, and addressed to ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, alleges that Farouk spent more than $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland over six years—payments Dangote claims are inconsistent with Farouk’s earnings in public service.
According to the petition, the fees were paid upfront and covered tuition at multiple Swiss institutions. Dangote provided the names of the children, their schools and the specific amounts allegedly paid, urging the ICPC to verify the claims through a full financial investigation.
Dangote further alleged that Farouk used his position at the NMDPRA to divert public funds for personal benefit, actions he said have fueled public anger and protests directed at the regulatory authority in recent months.
The industrialist argued that Farouk has spent his entire adult life in Nigeria’s public sector and could not have lawfully accumulated the resources required to fund such expenses.
“It is without doubt that the above facts amount to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement,” the petition states, adding that such offences fall squarely within the ICPC’s statutory powers under Section 19 of its enabling Act.
The petition noted that a conviction under the Act carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine.
Dangote urged the ICPC to act decisively, saying the matter has entered the public domain and poses reputational risks to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if left unresolved.
“We have no reservation that the Commission, under your leadership, will not close its eyes to these allegations but will act to ensure justice is done,” the petition said.
Dangote also pledged full cooperation with investigators, stating that he is prepared to present documentary and testimonial evidence to support claims of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office and impunity against the NMDPRA chief.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Farouk Ahmed nor the NMDPRA had issued a public response to the allegations.
