The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has formally summoned Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, to appear before a special panel of investigators. This development follows a detailed petition filed by the business magnate against the former head of a key petroleum regulator.
Dangote to Face ICPC Panel Over Allegations
Dr. Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of the Dangote Group, is expected to appear before the ICPC in Abuja on Monday. The commission confirmed the summons through a source on Sunday. Dangote can choose to send his Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ogwu Onoja, to represent him, provided he submits all necessary evidence to support his claims.
The petition targets Ahmed Farouk, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Dangote has leveled serious allegations of corruption and financial misappropriation against the ex-regulator.
Core Allegations in the Petition
The billionaire's accusations are multi-faceted and grave. A central claim is that Farouk spent over seven million dollars on the education of his four children at exclusive schools in Switzerland. This expenditure, according to the petition, lacks any evidence of a lawful source of income commensurate with his public service salary.
Furthermore, Dangote alleges that Farouk actively undermined Nigeria's domestic refining capacity. The petition claims he did this by colluding with international oil traders and importers, persistently issuing them import licenses to the detriment of local refining efforts, including those of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The ICPC spokesperson, Mr. John Okor Odey, confirmed that the commission received the formal petition from Dangote's lawyer on December 16. The Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), has directed a crack team of investigators to prioritize this case.
Investigation Proceeds Despite Resignation
In a significant move, the ICPC has stated that the investigation into Ahmed Farouk will continue unabated, despite his resignation from the NMDPRA. The commission clarified that his resignation does not affect the probe, signaling its commitment to pursuing the matter to a logical conclusion.
Dangote's petition explicitly calls for the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Farouk for allegedly living a lifestyle far above his legitimate means as a public servant.
This high-profile case unfolds against a backdrop of leadership changes in Nigeria's oil sector. President Bola Tinubu has forwarded new nominations to the Senate to lead the NMDPRA and its upstream counterpart, the NUPRC. This follows the resignations of both Farouk and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC.
The nominees, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan for NUPRC CEO and Saidu Mohammed for NMDPRA CEO, are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry.
Broader Implications for Nigeria's Oil Sector
Legal expert Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has highlighted that the dispute between Dangote Refinery and the NMDPRA is more than a commercial disagreement. He warns that it strikes at the core of Nigeria's governance over its vital hydrocarbon resources. The outcome of the ICPC investigation could therefore have far-reaching consequences for regulatory integrity and the business environment in the nation's critical energy sector.
The eyes of the nation are now on the anti-graft agency as it begins this delicate probe involving one of Nigeria's most powerful businessmen and a former top regulator. The ICPC has pledged to ensure fairness to all parties involved in the proceedings.
