A coalition of forty legal professionals has come out strongly to defend the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, against what they term as reckless and unfounded corruption allegations.
Lawyers Condemn Media Trial, Uphold Rule of Law
The group, operating under the banner Lawyers in Defence of Democracy and Anti-Corruption, held a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. They vehemently criticised attempts to try Engr. Ahmed in the court of public opinion, stating it violates constitutional rights and due process.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator, Barrister Emeka Okafor, and the Secretary, Barrister Mohammed Bello, dismissed specific claims that the NMDPRA boss received $5 million and sponsored his children's education in Switzerland as "reckless fabrications" lacking any factual evidence.
"This is a clear attempt at a media conviction of a public officer who has not been investigated, charged or found guilty by any competent authority," Okafor stated. The lawyers emphasised that Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to a fair hearing, and innocence must be presumed until proven otherwise in a proper court.
Accusations Threaten Investment and Sector Growth
The coalition warned that such unsubstantiated public accusations and witch-hunting tactics pose a significant danger. They argued that these actions could erode investor confidence at a critical time when the country is working to attract capital under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
Barrister Mohammed Bello pointed out the proper legal channels available for any genuine grievances. "If indeed there were genuine concerns, the proper course of action would have been to submit a petition to relevant anti-corruption agencies for investigation, not a trial by media," he said.
The lawyers credited Engr. Ahmed's leadership with fostering a more open and competitive petroleum sector. They noted that regulatory reforms have helped dismantle monopolies, attracting new investors and leading to tangible progress.
Regulatory Reforms Praised, Monopoly Opposed
In their defence, the legal team highlighted the positive outcomes of the NMDPRA's work under Engr. Ahmed's watch. They cited renewed investor confidence and the development of additional refineries beyond the Dangote Refinery as direct results of transparent and firm regulatory oversight.
The coalition reaffirmed its stance against monopoly in the petroleum industry, insisting that Engr. Ahmed's regulatory actions are driven by national interest and the promotion of fair competition, not by targeting any individual businessman.
"As a group, we state unequivocally that the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has not only been committed to his statutory responsibilities but has also remained clean of corruption based on our independent findings," the group's official statement concluded.
