The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded a comprehensive investigation into serious allegations of corruption and economic sabotage made against the immediate-past Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, despite his recent resignation.
Allegations of Lavish Spending and Calls for Scrutiny
The call for an inquiry follows explosive accusations leveled by Africa's richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. During a press conference in Lagos on Sunday, December 14, 2025, Dangote alleged corrupt practices by the regulatory chief. He specifically claimed that Ahmed spent approximately $5 million on the secondary school education of his four children in Switzerland, an amount the businessman stated was incongruent with a public servant's legitimate earnings.
Dangote urged tax authorities to scrutinize Ahmed's finances and, on Tuesday, December 16, formally reported him to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The allegations were framed within broader claims of economic sabotage against Nigeria's refining sector.
Resignation Amid Presidential Summons
The controversy culminated on Wednesday, December 17, when Farouk Ahmed resigned from his position. His resignation came shortly after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, who had summoned the NMDPRA boss to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
However, the NBA has swiftly countered any notion that stepping down equates to being cleared of wrongdoing. The association's President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), emphasized that allowing such a high-profile case to conclude with a mere resignation would undermine the nation's institutions and perpetuate a culture of impunity.
NBA's Firm Stance on Accountability and Institutional Integrity
In a televised interview, Osigwe articulated the legal body's position clearly. "Resignation does not amount to exoneration and must not be treated as closure," he stated. He warned that serious allegations, including those of forgery and false asset declaration, must be pursued to their logical conclusion through transparent investigation, regardless of an official's departure from office.
"Allegations of this nature are too weighty to be used merely as tools for political expediency or administrative convenience," Osigwe argued. "Once such claims are made, there is a public duty to investigate them to their logical conclusion, either to clear the individual’s name or to establish guilt based on credible evidence."
The NBA President cautioned against a damaging pattern where allegations surface, a resignation follows, and public interest fades without a credible inquiry. He stressed that this approach creates the perception that allegations are simply weaponized to remove officials, with no genuine search for truth.
"Building strong institutions requires consistency, transparency, and follow-through in handling allegations against public officers," Osigwe said. He concluded that Nigeria's anti-corruption fight will remain superficial without demonstrable accountability, including prosecutions where evidence warrants.
