Aliko Dangote Drags Ex-NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed to EFCC
The ongoing battle for the soul of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has taken a dramatic legal turn. Africa’s richest man and Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has officially filed a high-profile petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate-past Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This move, confirmed on January 9, 2026, marks an escalation in a feud that has already seen top regulators resign and sparked national debates on economic sabotage.
The EFCC Petition: Allegations of Corruption and Abuse of Office
Through his lead counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN, Aliko Dangote is urging the EFCC to investigate Farouk Ahmed for alleged abuse of office, corrupt enrichment, and financial impropriety. The petition claims that the former regulator’s lifestyle and expenditures are far beyond his legitimate means as a public servant.
Central to these allegations is a staggering claim regarding foreign education expenses. Dangote alleges that Farouk Ahmed spent over $7 million (approximately $5 million for secondary and $2 million for tertiary education) on his four children in prestigious Swiss schools. The petition highlights specific institutions, including:
- Montreux School (Faisal Farouk)
- Aiglon College (Farouk Jr.)
- Institut Le Rosey (Ashraf Farouk)
- La Garenne International School (Farhana Farouk)
The billionaire industrialist argues that these humongous sums, reportedly paid upfront for six-year periods, lack a lawful source of income and constitute a gross violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
Strategic Shift: Why Move from ICPC to EFCC?
The move to the EFCC follows the strategic withdrawal of a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) just days prior. While the ICPC has vowed to continue its own independent probe, Dangote’s legal team stated that the shift to the EFCC was a “strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
Insiders suggest the move was also influenced by potential conflicts of interest at the ICPC. However, the primary goal remains clear: to leverage the EFCC’s “dispatch and firm resolve” in handling financial crimes to ensure a swift investigation into what is now being dubbed “Faroukgate.”
The Background: A War Over “Dirty Fuel” and Local Refining
The friction between the Dangote Refinery and the NMDPRA is not new. It peaked in late 2024 when Farouk Ahmed publicly claimed that local refineries, including Dangote’s $20 billion plant, were producing “inferior” products compared to imports. Dangote fiercely refuted this, accusing the NMDPRA of economic sabotage by indiscriminately issuing licenses to marketers to import “dirty” fuel while his refinery tanks remained full.
The industrialist further alleged that the regulator was colluding with international traders to frustrate domestic refining—a situation he believes is undermining Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and draining foreign exchange. Following these heated exchanges and the initial petition, Farouk Ahmed resigned his position in December 2025.
Implications for Nigeria’s Petroleum Sector
This legal showdown has profound implications for the industry. If the EFCC finds merit in the allegations, it could lead to:
- Regulatory Reforms: A total overhaul of how the NMDPRA issues import licenses and oversees local production.
- Anti-Corruption Signal: A deterrent to other public officers who may be tempted to use regulatory power for personal gain.
- Economic Stability: Resolving this impasse is critical for stabilizing fuel supply and pricing as the country moves away from fuel subsidies.
Conclusion
The petition against Farouk Ahmed is more than just a personal dispute; it is a landmark case concerning the integrity of Nigeria’s regulatory framework. As the EFCC prepares to act, the eyes of the global investment community are on Nigeria to see how it handles transparency in its most vital economic sector.
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