A combined photo of Farouk Ahmed and Aliko Dangote
By Abdullahi Abubakar
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has rejected bid by chairman of Dangote Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote to withdraw his petition against the erstwhile Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engineer Farouk Ahmed, insisting that the investigation continues 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’s Head Media and Public Communications, John Odey, in a press statement late Wednesday night in Abuja, acknowledged that: “ICPC is in receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2026, 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“The letter from O.J Onoja SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated December 16, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past CEO of the NMDPRA in its entirety and that another law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.
