Anti-corruption group petitions ICPC for probe of Ahmed Farouk, ex- NMDPRA boss over Dangote’s allegations

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has formally requested the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate serious allegations made by businessman Aliko Dangote against Farouk Ahmed, the former CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

In its petition, CACOL cited Dangote’s claims that Ahmed lives beyond his legitimate income, specifically pointing to the alleged enrollment of four of Ahmed’s children in Swiss secondary schools at an estimated cost of $5 million.

The group stated that if proven, these allegations would indicate illicit enrichment and abuse of office.

CACOL also referenced Dangote’s further accusations that Ahmed engaged in “economic sabotage” by using his regulatory position to undermine Nigeria’s domestic oil refining efforts, thereby discouraging local investment and perpetuating dependence on fuel imports.

The anti-corruption organization warned that such actions, if verified, threaten Nigeria’s economic security and energy independence. It emphasized that failing to transparently investigate a senior official in a critical sector risks eroding public trust in government institutions.

CACOL urged the ICPC to: promptly investigate the allegations of living beyond legitimate means; examine all claims related to economic sabotage against the domestic refining sector; and prosecute any guilty parties to the full extent of the law.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to fighting corruption and promoting accountability, expressing confidence in the ICPC’s ability to handle the matter with urgency and seriousness.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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