Koko Maxwella 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), confirms it is pressing ahead with its investigation into Alhaji Farouk Ahmed, former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), despite the withdrawal of a petition by billionaire industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The ICPC says the allegations against the ex-regulator raise serious public interest concerns that cannot be discontinued solely at the request of the original petitioner.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the commission discloses that investigative processes are already underway, including formal engagement with educational institutions in Switzerland to verify claims surrounding the schooling of Ahmed’s children.
Dangote had earlier petitioned the ICPC, alleging that Ahmed spent more than $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland. The petition claims that tuition fees were reportedly paid in advance for up to six years, prompting questions about the legitimacy and source of the funds.
Confirming the withdrawal, ICPC spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr. John Okor Odey, says the commission received a letter dated January 5, 2025, from Dangote’s legal representatives formally notifying it of the decision.
However, Odey stresses that the action does not affect the commission’s statutory responsibility.
“Under Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of the ICPC Act, once an investigation has commenced, it cannot be discontinued at the instance of the petitioner,” he says.
He adds that the commission is acting within its legal mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in public service. “The ICPC will therefore proceed with the investigation in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria,” the statement says.
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius