Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigeria’s anti‑graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has commenced a formal investigation into allegations of corruption and abuse of office levelled against Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), after a high‑profile petition was filed by business mogul Aliko Dangote.
The complaint, submitted to the EFCC by Dangote through his legal counsel, accuses the former regulator of abusing his official position and corrupt enrichment during his tenure at the petroleum regulatory agency. The allegations allege that Ahmed conducted himself in a manner inconsistent with the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, raising serious questions about the integrity of regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s vital petroleum sector.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Dangote’s petition includes specific claims about unlawful and excessive expenditure on private matters, notably the payment of millions of dollars for the education of Ahmed’s children abroad. Although Ahmed has not yet been formally invited for questioning by the EFCC, the agency has begun outreach to relevant parties and institutions mentioned in the petition as part of its evidence‑gathering process.
The move to involve the EFCC marked a strategic shift in the pursuit of accountability following the withdrawal of the petition from another anti‑graft body, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), earlier this month. That step was taken after Dangote chose to transition his request for action to the EFCC, believed by some analysts to be part of efforts to hasten investigative procedures and potential prosecution.
A senior EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that the commission had begun writing to institutions named in the petition to obtain relevant documentation and lead information. This includes outreach to educational institutions and other entities referenced in Dangote’s complaint as part of the probe’s early stages.
Dangote’s allegations have drawn attention to the broader issue of accountability in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, a cornerstone of the national economy. In December 2025, the businessman publicly highlighted concerns about alleged improprieties in regulatory practices and expenditure that he said raised questions about transparency and public trust. Presidential intervention and scrutiny by civil society organisations underscored the high public interest in ensuring robust oversight of public institutions.
The petition invites the EFCC to investigate whether Ahmed’s conduct contravened anti‑corruption laws and to pursue prosecution if sufficient evidence is uncovered. Dangote’s legal team has indicated readiness to provide additional documentation and support to substantiate the claims made, signalling a determination to see the matter examined thoroughly.
Legal and governance experts say the unfolding investigation comes at a time when public confidence in regulatory institutions remains a critical concern. The allegations — if proven — could have significant legal ramifications and prompt wider calls for reforms in the governance of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
As the EFCC continues its review, the agency has not publicly disclosed whether formal charges will be filed against Ahmed. The commission’s actions follow the receipt of the petition in early January and represent the next phase of what could be a protracted inquiry, with outcomes that may affect perceptions of corruption control and institutional accountability in Nigeria.
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