by Jeremy
Fresh facts have emerged as to why Business mogul Aliko Dangote withdrew the petition he sent to the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Credible industry sources confirmed to LEADERSHIP that Dangote withdrew the petition due to concerns that the presence of Ahmed’s spouse as a key staff member of the ICPC could impact the investigation.
“What we understand,” a source said, “is that after the petition was filed, it came to light that Ahmed’s spouse holds a key position in ICPC. Although no one is sure how that might play out, there are concerns of interference.”
Although neither Dangote nor his lawyer could be reached to provide reasons for the withdrawal, our sources suggested that fear of possible interference may have been the reason for the withdrawal.
The Principal Partner of an Abuja-based law firm, O’J Law Consult, Dr Lilian Ojimma, said a petitioner is free to withdraw his petition from a prosecuting agency and go to another agency, if he so wishes.
“The only thing,” she said, “is that the petitioner cannot file the same petition in two agencies at the same time and pursue them simultaneously.”
However, the ICPC has assured that no one can interfere in the ongoing investigation into Dangote’s petition.
ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, told LEADERSHIP that: “I am not aware of any person working in the ICPC who is married to Farouk. Even if it is true, I can assure you that nobody will interfere in the ongoing investigation. Dangote’s withdrawal of the petition does not mean that the ICPC has stopped the investigation. Investigation continues.”
Our correspondent gathered that the ICPC had contacted the Swiss school that Dangote claimed that Farouk’s children attended and paid $7 million as school fees.
The ICPC spokesperson had, in a statement earlier, noted that the investigation will continue as the ICPC works for the interest of the public.
According to him, “The ICPC is in receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2025, titled ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed,’ submitted to the Commission by Dr O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, legal counsel to Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
“The letter from O.J. Onoja SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety and that another law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.”
Meanwhile, Dangote has also petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seek an investigation into Farouk.
LEADERSHIP is in possession of an acknowledgement copy of the letter dated December 17, 2025, addressed to the EFCC chairman. The letter was duly received by the EFCC.
In the letter, Dangote asked the EFCC to investigate Farouk for alleged gross abuse of office, violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and corrupt and financial impropriety.
When EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale was contacted, he requested time to gather more information. He has yet to respond at the time of this press release.
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