In a significant escalation of a legal and regulatory battle, Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has formally lodged a corruption petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Strategic Shift from ICPC to EFCC
The move to the EFCC headquarters, confirmed in a statement issued by the Dangote Group on Friday, January 9, 2026, represents a calculated legal strategy. This action comes just days after Dangote withdrew a similar complaint from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the group's statement, the withdrawal from the ICPC and the subsequent filing with the EFCC was a "strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process." The earlier ICPC petition had contained allegations that Ahmed spent approximately $5 million on his children's secondary education in Switzerland. Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC has indicated its investigation into the matter will continue independently.
Details of the Fresh Allegations
The new petition, signed by Dangote's Lead Counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, urges the anti-graft agency to investigate Ahmed for abuse of office and corrupt enrichment during his tenure at the helm of the petroleum regulatory agency. The petition is notably assertive, with Dangote offering to furnish the EFCC with evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and alleged impunity.
"We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders," the petition read. Dr. Onoja bolstered the legal argument by citing recent judicial authorities, including the cases of Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018).
Calls for Prosecution and Awaiting Response
The petition explicitly calls on the EFCC, under its Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, to thoroughly probe the allegations and take appropriate legal action if wrongdoing is established. "To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting," the document stated, as reported by Punch newspaper.
As of the time of the report, neither the EFCC nor Farouk Ahmed had issued an official public response to the fresh allegations. Ahmed has previously denied any wrongdoing in related matters, maintaining that all his actions while in office were lawful and in line with his regulatory responsibilities.
This development marks a high-stakes confrontation between one of Nigeria's most powerful industrialists and a former top regulator in the critical oil and gas sector, setting the stage for a closely watched legal proceeding.
