The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) announced that the chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has withdrawn his petition against the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk.
The Commission, however, stated that it would continue with the probe, which was made known in a statement by the spokesperson of the commission, J. Okor Odey.
The statement reads in part, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (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“The letter from O. J. Onoja SAN states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16 December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety, and that another law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."
Recall that Dangote had submitted a petition to the ICPC, accusing Ahmed of corruption and financial impropriety, adding that the former CEO was living above his means as a public servant.
Dangote further presented evidence that Ahmed had spent $7 million for the education of his four children in schools in Switzerland; Dangote further listed the names of the children and their schools in Switzerland as well as the amount paid for each of them as proof to back his allegations.
Dangote claimed Ahmed diverted the funds from public funds and called for his arrest, investigation, and prosecution.
Less than 24 hours after the submission of the petition, Ahmed resigned his position following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.