(DDM) – The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has officially submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Ahmed Farouk, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Dangote accused Farouk of corruption, financial impropriety, and living beyond his known means as a public servant, urging the anti-graft agency to investigate and prosecute him.
The petition, submitted on December 16, was received by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN).
According to Dangote, Farouk allegedly spent over $7 million for the education of his four children in Swiss schools over six years upfront, without evidence of lawful income.
Dangote named the children and the specific schools in Switzerland, along with the amounts paid for each, to facilitate verification by the ICPC.
The petition further alleged that Farouk used his position at NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain, a practice said to have caused public uproar and protests recently.
Dangote claimed that Farouk’s lifetime earnings as a public servant were nowhere near the $7 million reportedly spent, suggesting that public funds were diverted to cover these private expenses.
“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment, and embezzlement are gross acts of corrupt practices for which your Commission is statutorily empowered under section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” the petition stated.
Dangote emphasized that successful prosecution under section 19 carries a five-year imprisonment without an option of a fine.
The petition urged the ICPC to act decisively to protect the integrity of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to ensure that justice is done.
DDM gathered that the petition underscores the importance of accountability in public office, especially for senior officials in regulatory agencies tasked with safeguarding national resources.
Dangote’s move has already sparked discussions across social and traditional media, with public interest focused on the alleged misuse of public funds and the credibility of high-ranking government officials.
If ICPC proceeds with the investigation, Farouk could face serious legal consequences, including potential imprisonment if found guilty of corrupt enrichment and abuse of office.
The anti-graft commission is expected to conduct a thorough inquiry into the allegations, examining Farouk’s financial records, income sources, and expenditure patterns in line with Nigerian anti-corruption laws.
This case, if pursued, may also set a precedent for stricter oversight of public officials in regulatory agencies and highlight the role of prominent citizens like Dangote in holding officials accountable.