ICPC Declines Dangote’s Bid to Pull Petition Against Former NMDPRA Chief Farouk Ahmed

Story: written by Zara January 7,2026

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has turned down a request by the Dangote Group to withdraw its petition against the immediate past Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said the anti-graft agency had already initiated investigations into the allegations and would not discontinue the process, stressing that the action was in the national interest.

According to the commission, it received a letter dated January 5 titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed”, written by Dangote’s legal representatives, Dr O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates.

The letter indicated that the petition dated December 16, 2025, filed against Farouk Ahmed, had been completely withdrawn on the grounds that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.

However, the ICPC stated clearly that, under Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its establishing Act, investigations had already commenced and were currently ongoing.

“The commission will continue to investigate this case in line with its statutory responsibilities and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of the Nigerian people,” the statement said.