Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), has filed a formal petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial misconduct by Farouk Ahmed, the former head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Through his legal team, Dangote accused Ahmed of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment. He asked the EFCC to investigate the claims and prosecute if evidence establishes criminal liability.
Petition Shifted From ICPC to EFCC
Earlier, Dangote submitted the petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). However, his legal team later withdrew it and redirected the complaint to the EFCC to accelerate the investigation and possible prosecution.
Lead counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN, signed the petition. He urged the EFCC to exercise its statutory powers and act decisively on the allegations. The document also cited previous court rulings that affirm prosecution where a prima facie case exists.
In addition, Onoja appealed directly to EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede to treat the matter with urgency. He argued that swift action would deter corruption among public officers.
Allegations Over Lifestyle and Education Costs
The petition follows statements Dangote made publicly in December 2025, when he questioned Ahmed’s financial capacity to fund what he described as a costly lifestyle.
Dangote alleged that four of Ahmed’s children attended elite boarding schools in Switzerland for six years each. He identified the schools as:
- Montreux School
- Aiglon College
- Institut Le Rosey
- La Garenne International School
According to Dangote, the annual tuition, travel, and upkeep costs approximately $200,000 per child, bringing the total secondary education expenses to around $5 million.
Furthermore, Dangote alleged that Ahmed spent an additional $2 million on tertiary education, including $210,000 for a 2025 Harvard MBA programme for one of the children.
He said the scale of these expenses raised serious questions about the source of the funds and the integrity of regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
Call for Accountability
In the petition, Dangote asked the EFCC to conduct a full investigation into whether the funds used matched Ahmed’s legitimate earnings. He argued that the case goes beyond one individual and directly affects public confidence in regulatory institutions.
Moreover, Dangote urged the commission to act in the national interest. He maintained that prosecution, if warranted, would strengthen transparency and accountability across Nigeria’s oil and gas governance.
So far, the EFCC has not issued a public response to the petition.