The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has vowed to continue its investigation of the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.
Reports confirm that billionaire Aliko Dangote withdrew his original petition against the former NMDPRA boss, signaling an attempt to resolve the dispute amicably.
Despite this withdrawal, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) continues its probe into the allegations.
Regulatory disputes between Dangote and NMDPRA over cement pricing and operational approvals prompted the initial complaint.
This development underscores ICPC’s independence, prioritizing public interest investigations beyond petitioner decisions.
The commission confirmed that it received a formal letter dated January 5, 2026, from Dr O.J. Onoja, SAN & Associates, acting on behalf of Dangote, withdrawing the petition earlier filed on December 16, 2025.
Dangote’s Withdrawal Letter Cites Law Enforcement Handoff
Dangote’s withdrawal letter explicitly states that the petition against Ahmed stands withdrawn in its entirety.
This formal communication signals a complete retraction of the original corruption allegations leveled by the billionaire businessman.
The letter further notes that another law enforcement agency has assumed control of the matter.
This transfer explains the decision to halt ICPC involvement, redirecting investigative responsibility to the intervening authority.
Such handoffs maintain oversight continuity while respecting jurisdictional boundaries in high-profile regulatory disputes.
However, the ICPC stressed that the withdrawal would not halt its investigation.
ICPC Confirms Receipt of Dangote’s Petition Withdrawal Letter
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) issued a statement referencing a letter from O.J. Onoja, SAN, formally announcing the withdrawal of Aliko Dangote’s petition.
Dated December 16, 2025, the petition targeted Engineer Farouk Ahmed, former NMDPRA boss, over regulatory disputes.
This communication marks an official end to Dangote’s direct involvement in the corruption allegations against Ahmed.
The senior advocate’s letter provides legal clarity, documenting the petitioner’s decision to retract all claims.
ICPC’s public acknowledgment ensures transparency in handling high-profile withdrawals, maintaining accountability in ongoing investigations.
The immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act.
Investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.
“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.”
Dangote-Ahmed Petition Stemmed from Late 2025 NMDPRA Clash
A high-profile dispute erupted in late 2025 between billionaire Aliko Dangote and Engineer Farouk Ahmed during Ahmed’s tenure as NMDPRA boss.
Regulatory tensions over cement pricing, refinery operations, and import approvals fueled the conflict.
This disagreement prompted Dangote to file a formal petition with the ICPC, alleging misconduct and overreach by Ahmed’s agency.
The case highlighted frictions between Nigeria’s business titan and energy regulators amid economic reforms.
The petition’s withdrawal reflects efforts to de-escalate business-regulatory tensions, though investigations persist through alternate channels.
The dispute followed repeated clashes between Dangote’s refinery and petroleum regulators over importation policies, pricing and market dominance.
Dangote Accused Ex-NMDPRA Boss Ahmed of $5M Corruption on Swiss School Fees
Aliko Dangote accused Engineer Farouk Ahmed, former NMDPRA head, of corrupt enrichment through extravagant spending exceeding $5 million on his children’s tuition at elite Swiss boarding schools.
Swiss School Fees as Corruption Flashpoint
The billionaire industrialist alleged Ahmed diverted public resources or illicit gains to fund education at Switzerland’s most exclusive institutions, known for annual fees surpassing $100,000 per child.
Such expenditures starkly contrast Nigeria’s public sector salaries, raising red flags about conflict of interest during Ahmed’s oversight of Dangote’s refinery and cement operations.
Investigation Continues Despite Petition Withdrawal
Though Dangote later withdrew the petition, citing another agency’s involvement, these explosive allegations persist through ongoing probes.
The feud underscores deepening tensions between Nigeria’s corporate powerhouse and energy regulators amid refinery launch delays and pricing disputes.
Expenditures he claimed were inconsistent with a public servant’s legitimate income.
Dangote-Ahmed Scandal Triggers Dual Regulatory Resignations
The accusations of $5 million spent on Swiss school fees for Ahmed’s children fueled widespread outrage over regulatory excess amid economic hardship.
The controversy rapidly escalated, culminating in Ahmed’s resignation from the NMDPRA in December 2025.
Simultaneously, the head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also stepped down.
Suggesting broader accountability measures across energy sector oversight bodies.
These high-profile exits marked a turning point in Nigeria’s regulatory landscape.
Highlighting intensifying scrutiny of public officials tied to Dangote’s business empire amid refinery disputes and economic reforms.
Subsequently, Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated a replacement for the leadership of the NMDPRA.
Dangote’s initial petition to the ICPC had called for Ahmed’s arrest, investigation and prosecution for alleged abuse of office, corruption and living beyond his means.
