The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk, has described the corruption allegations levelled against him by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, as “wild and spurious.”
In a formal statement issued and signed by him, Farouk emphasised that he would rather defend himself before a formal investigative body than engage in a public exchange of accusations.
“My attention has been drawn to a purported response attributed to me regarding the recent allegations. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me,” Farouk said.
He added: “While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family, and the frenzy they have generated, I have opted not to engage in public brickbat. Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken the matter to a formal investigative institution. I believe this will provide an opportunity to dispassionately examine the issues and clear my name.”
Background of the Dispute
The dispute between Farouk and Dangote dates back to July 2024, when Farouk claimed that local refineries, including the Dangote refinery, produced lower-quality products compared to imports.
Dangote denied the claims and tested diesel from his refinery during a federal legislative oversight visit.
Over a year later, Dangote escalated the matter by writing to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that Farouk had lived beyond his legitimate means.
Specifically, Dangote claimed that Farouk’s four children attended secondary schools in Switzerland at a cost running into millions of dollars, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of his regulatory role.
At a press conference at the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Dangote said:
“Nigerians deserve to know the source(s) of these sums of money paid by a public officer while many parents in his home state of Sokoto cannot afford to pay N10,000 school fees for their children.”
Dangote’s petition, submitted through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, on December 16, requested the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Ahmed Farouk for allegedly living above his means as a public official.
The petition included detailed claims about the cost of sending Farouk’s children to Swiss schools over six years, totalling over $7 million, and alleged that the funds were misappropriated from public coffers.
Dangote also accused the NMDPRA of undermining local refining efforts by facilitating the continued issuance of import licences, framing Farouk’s alleged conduct as detrimental to Nigeria’s economic interests.
Ahmed Farouk, however, firmly rejected all allegations, reiterating his commitment to addressing the matter through proper investigative channels and defending his integrity.
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