ICPC Presses Ahead With NMDPRA Ex-CEO Farouk Ahmed Probe Despite Dangote’s Withdrawal
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced that it will proceed with its investigation into Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the former Authority Chief Executive and CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), even though the petition against him has been withdrawn.
The Commission disclosed that it received a letter dated 5 January 2026, titled ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed’, from Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, legal counsel to Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The position of the Commission was conveyed in a statement by its Spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, late on Wednesday night
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According to the ICPC, the letter notified the Commission that the petitioner had withdrawn the petition dated 16 December 2025, in its entirety, and indicated that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
‘The letter from O.J Onoja, SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety, and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.
‘The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, the investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.
‘The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria’.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out its duties in the fight against corruption, insisting that the matter would be pursued in accordance with the law and in the interest of the Nigerian state.
