The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk, has dismissed allegations of corruption levelled against him by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, as “wild and spurious.” Farouk stated that he prefers to defend himself before a formal investigative body rather than engage in a public dispute with the entrepreneur.
The allegations against Farouk stem from a long-standing dispute between Dangote and the NMDPRA CEO, which began in July 2024. At the time, Farouk claimed that local refineries, including Dangote’s, produced inferior products compared to those imported into the country. Dangote denied the allegations and provided evidence to support his claim during an oversight visit by federal lawmakers to his refinery.
Recently, Dangote submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing Farouk of corruption and living beyond his means. Dangote alleged that Farouk spent over $7 million on his children’s education in Switzerland, which he claimed was a clear case of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment.
The ICPC has confirmed receipt of Dangote’s petition and has announced that it will investigate the allegations. The House of Representatives has also intervened in the matter, summoning both parties and asking them to refrain from making public comments. The lawmakers aim to identify the critical issues driving the allegations and counter-allegations and find sustainable solutions to the crisis.
The dispute between Dangote and Farouk has significant implications for Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, and the ICPC’s investigation is expected to provide clarity on the matter. The agency’s spokesman, John Odey, stated that the petition will be duly investigated, and the commission will take necessary actions based on its findings.
The development has sparked concerns about the potential impact on the country’s refining sector, with some stakeholders calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations. The House of Representatives’ intervention is seen as a move to prevent tensions that could destabilize the sector. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and what implications it will have for the parties involved.