ICPC Rejects Dangote’s Petition Withdrawal, Probes Ex-NMDPRA Boss

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has firmly rejected a withdrawal request from billionaire industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote regarding his corruption petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). ICPC spokesperson John Odey emphasized in a statement issued Wednesday that the agency had already initiated investigations into the allegations, prioritizing transparency and the national fight against graft. This development underscores the commission’s statutory independence, even as Dangote cited another agency’s involvement. ​

Dangote first lodged the petition on December 16, 2025, through his legal counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN, accusing Ahmed of corruption, abuse of office, and financial impropriety during his tenure at NMDPRA. The ICPC swiftly acknowledged receipt and pledged a thorough probe, signaling its commitment to addressing high-profile complaints in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. On January 5, 2026, Onoja formally notified the ICPC of the withdrawal, but the agency invoked sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act to justify continuing the inquiry for the public’s benefit. ​

Under its mandate, the ICPC holds authority to pursue investigations once commenced, regardless of a petitioner’s retraction, especially when public interest is at stake. Odey’s statement affirmed: “The ICPC will continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.” Reports suggest the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) might assume oversight, though ICPC remains resolute. ​

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Ahmed’s exit from NMDPRA preceded these allegations, amid ongoing scrutiny of regulatory practices in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum industry. Dangote, Africa’s richest man and a key player in refining, had demanded Ahmed’s arrest and prosecution, highlighting tensions between business titans and regulators. Neither Ahmed nor NMDPRA has publicly responded, leaving the probe’s outcome pivotal for sector accountability. ​