The chairman of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, through his legal team, has filed a fresh petition against the immediate-past Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Dangote Group’s media team on Friday.
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Arabella recalls that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that Ahmed spent about $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. Although the petition was withdrawn a few days ago, the ICPC had said that it would proceed with its investigation on the matter.
According to the statement, the decision to approach the EFCC followed “the withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by Dangote’s lead counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja, the EFCC was urged to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment levelled against Ahmed and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition also indicated that Dangote was ready to present evidence to substantiate the claims of financial misconduct and alleged impunity.
“We make bold to state that the Commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition stated.
Onoja further called on the EFCC, under the leadership of its chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, to investigate the allegations against Ahmed and ensure his prosecution if he was found wanting.