The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has submitted a formal petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, accusing a former head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, of corruption and abuse of office.
The petition was filed at the EFCC headquarters through Dangote’s legal team after the same complaint was withdrawn from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. According to sources familiar with the matter, the move was made to allow for a faster and more focused investigation.
In the petition signed by senior advocate Dr. O.J. Onoja, Dangote asked the EFCC to probe allegations of financial misconduct against Mr. Ahmed and to prosecute him if the claims are proven. The petition also indicated that relevant documents and supporting evidence would be made available to investigators.
Onoja noted that the EFCC is well placed to handle cases involving financial crimes and corruption, urging the commission to act promptly under the leadership of its chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede. He stressed that a thorough investigation would help strengthen public trust in the fight against corruption.
The petition further argued that swift action by the EFCC would send a strong message to public officers and discourage abuse of office within government institutions.
Dangote’s decision to pursue the matter is linked to earlier concerns he raised about Mr. Ahmed’s lifestyle and financial capacity while serving as a regulator in the petroleum sector. On Sunday, December 14, 2025, Dangote publicly questioned the source of funds used to finance the foreign education of Mr. Ahmed’s children.
According to the petition, four of Mr. Ahmed’s children attended high-end secondary schools in Switzerland. They include Faisal Farouk, Farouk Ahmed Jr., Ashraf Farouk, and Farhana Farouk, who reportedly spent six years each at different institutions. Dangote estimated that tuition, travel, and living expenses cost about $200,000 per child each year, bringing the total secondary school expenses to about $5 million.
The petition also alleged that an additional $2 million was spent on the children’s university education, including $210,000 for Faisal’s MBA programme at Harvard University in 2025.
Dangote argued that the scale of these expenses raises serious questions, especially given the economic realities faced by many Nigerians. He said the public deserves clarity on how such funds were sourced by a public officer entrusted with regulatory responsibilities.
The petition calls on the EFCC to carry out a full investigation into the allegations in order to ensure accountability and restore confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory system.