In a significant escalation of his campaign against perceived malpractice in Nigeria's oil sector, billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has formally requested the arrest and prosecution of a top petroleum regulator.
Formal Accusation of Corrupt Enrichment
Through his legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, Dangote submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on December 16, 2025. The document, addressed to ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, levels serious allegations of corruption against Ahmed Farouk, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The core accusation is that Farouk has been living far beyond his legitimate income as a public servant. Dangote specifically claims the NMDPRA chief expended over $7 million to fund the education of his four children at exclusive schools in Switzerland. The petition asserts these funds were paid upfront for several years of tuition.
Breach of Public Trust and Code of Conduct
Dangote argues that Farouk, having spent his entire career in the Nigerian public sector, could not have legally amassed such wealth. The petition states this constitutes a gross abuse of office, a violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and amounts to corrupt enrichment and diversion of public funds.
"It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement are gross acts of corrupt practices," Dangote stated in the petition. He cited Section 19 of the ICPC Act, which empowers the commission to investigate and prosecute such offences, carrying a potential five-year prison term upon conviction.
The businessman provided detailed information on Farouk's children, their Swiss schools, and the alleged payments, urging the ICPC to verify the claims through an independent probe. He further alleged Farouk used his position at the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public money for private gain.
Broader Context and Official Denial
This legal action follows Dangote's public comments on Sunday, where he decried alleged regulatory failures and corruption in the downstream petroleum sector, warning it could erode investor confidence. The petition also references June 2025 protests in Abuja where groups demanded Farouk's resignation over similar claims of turning his office into a personal estate.
The NMDPRA has vigorously denied all allegations, labeling them as false and part of a coordinated smear campaign against its CEO and leadership.
In his petition, Dangote expressed confidence in the ICPC's capacity and urged prompt action to uphold justice and protect the image of President Bola Tinubu's administration. He pledged to provide documentary evidence to substantiate his claims of abuse of office and impunity.
