Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has escalated his long-running dispute with former Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) chief executive, Farouk Ahmed, by filing a formal petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging abuse of office, corrupt enrichment, and financial impropriety.
The petition, submitted through Dangote's legal counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja (SAN), urges the EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute Ahmed if evidence substantiates the claims. It emphasises Dangote's willingness to provide supporting evidence and stresses that swift action would deter corruption among public officials.
This development follows Dangote's withdrawal of a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on January 5, 2026. The ICPC confirmed receipt of the withdrawal notice but stated it would continue its probe independently, citing statutory provisions that allow investigations to proceed in the public interest regardless of a petitioner's withdrawal.
The allegations stem from a public feud that intensified in December 2025, when Dangote accused Ahmed of living beyond his means as a public servant. Specifically, Dangote claimed Ahmed spent over $7 million on elite Swiss education for his four children over six years, despite a career largely in the public sector.
Dangote alleged these expenditures, inconsistent with lawful earnings, raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and regulatory integrity in the downstream petroleum sector. He further accused Ahmed of diverting public funds through his position at NMDPRA.
Ahmed, who resigned in mid-December 2025 amid the controversy, previously described the claims as "wild and spurious". In a statement at the time, he declined to engage in public rebuttals, expressing confidence that formal investigative bodies would clear his name.
