The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has summoned Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to appear before a panel of investigators in Abuja over a petition he wrote against a former top government official in the oil sector.
According to sources within the anti-graft agency, Dangote is expected to appear before the panel on Monday to provide evidence in support of his petition against Mr. Farouk Ahmed, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
A source at the ICPC, who spoke on Sunday in Abuja, confirmed that the Commission has set up a special panel to handle the investigation. The source said the panel was directed to focus fully on the petition submitted by Dangote.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, was said to have personally instructed the investigators to treat the matter with seriousness and professionalism. The agency is expected to examine all claims raised in the petition and determine whether there is enough evidence to support further legal action.
Dangote, who owns the Dangote Group and recently commissioned the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, is expected to appear in person or be represented by his lawyer, Mr. Ogwu Onoja, SAN. He is also expected to submit documents and other materials to support his claims when the investigation formally begins.
The petition written by Dangote accuses Farouk Ahmed of corruption, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds during his time as head of the NMDPRA. The petition also raises concerns about actions allegedly taken by Ahmed that may have affected Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
One of the major allegations in the petition is that Ahmed spent millions of dollars on the education of his four children in Switzerland without clear evidence of lawful income to support such expenses. According to the petition, the total amount allegedly spent on the children’s education is more than seven million dollars.
Dangote claimed that these expenses were not in line with Ahmed’s known earnings as a public servant. He argued that such spending suggests that the former NMDPRA boss may have been living far above his means while in office.
In addition to the claims about foreign education spending, Dangote also accused Ahmed of actions that allegedly undermined domestic oil refining in Nigeria. He alleged that the former regulator colluded with international oil traders and fuel importers by continuing to issue import licences, even as Nigeria was pushing to boost local refining capacity.
This allegation is significant because Nigeria has long depended on imported refined petroleum products, despite being one of Africa’s largest crude oil producers. Successive governments have said that supporting local refineries is key to reducing fuel imports, saving foreign exchange, and creating jobs.
The Dangote Refinery, which began operations recently, is seen as a major step toward ending Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports. Any claim that officials worked against domestic refining has therefore drawn strong public interest.
Farouk Ahmed has since resigned from his position as Managing Director of the NMDPRA. However, the ICPC has made it clear that his resignation does not stop or affect the investigation. According to the Commission, public officers can still be investigated and prosecuted for actions taken while in office, even after leaving their positions.
The ICPC has formally asked Dangote to submit all evidence related to his allegations. This includes documents, records, and any other materials that can help investigators verify the claims made in the petition.
Dangote is reportedly demanding the arrest, full investigation, and prosecution of Ahmed. He wants the former official held accountable for allegedly living beyond his lawful income and abusing his office for personal benefit.
Confirming the development, the ICPC’s spokesperson, Mr. John Okor Odey, said the Commission received the petition on December 16, 2025. According to him, the petition was submitted by Dangote through his lawyer and was properly acknowledged by the agency.
Although the ICPC has not yet commented on the details of the investigation, officials say the agency will follow due process. They added that all parties involved will be given a fair hearing, as required by law.
The NMDPRA is a key government agency created under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021. It is responsible for regulating Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including fuel distribution, pricing frameworks, and licensing. The agency plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and efficiency in the oil and gas sector.
Since the passage of the PIA, there has been increased public attention on how regulatory agencies operate and how their leaders conduct themselves. Allegations of corruption against top officials in such agencies often raise concerns about the impact on the economy and public trust.
Anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC are mandated to investigate and prosecute cases involving abuse of office, bribery, and other corrupt practices in the public sector. The Commission has, in recent years, handled several high-profile cases involving senior government officials.
The decision to invite Dangote shows that the ICPC is treating the petition as a serious matter. It also reflects the agency’s practice of asking petitioners to back up their claims with evidence before taking further steps.