iDeemlawful–The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, has formally withdrawn his petition against Ahmed Farouk, the immediate past chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The petition, submitted in December 2025 through Dangote’s counsel, Ogwu Onoja, accused Farouk of “corruption and financial impropriety”.
In the document, Dangote urged the anti-graft agency to arrest, investigate and prosecute the former NMDPRA head, alleging that he was “living beyond his means” while in public office.
Dangote further claimed that Farouk expended more than “$7 million on the education of his four children” across several institutions in Switzerland within six years, without lawful income evidence to justify the spending.
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Providing an update on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey said the commission received a formal notice of withdrawal from Dangote’s lawyer.
According to Odey, the petitioner withdrew the complaint entirely, noting that another law enforcement agency has now assumed responsibility for the matter.
Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC spokesperson stressed that the commission would proceed with its investigation.
“The letter from O.J. Onoja, SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety and that another law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 statement reads.
“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.”
Less than 24 hours after the petition was filed with the ICPC, Farouk stepped down as NMDPRA CEO following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.