ICPC Summons Aliko Dangote Over Allegations Against Former NMDPRA Chief

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has formally invited billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote to its Abuja headquarters on Monday. This move follows a high-stakes petition filed by the oil magnate against the former Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed. The summons marks a significant escalation in the ongoing friction between the nation’s premier private refiner and the petroleum regulatory body.

Investigations into the matter are being prioritized by the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, who has reportedly constituted a dedicated panel to scrutinize the allegations. According to sources within the anti-graft agency, Dangote is expected to appear in person or be represented by his legal counsel, Ogwu Onoja, SAN. The session is intended to allow the petitioner to present the material evidence supporting his claims of systemic corruption and personal enrichment within the regulatory agency.

The petition, which was officially received by the commission on December 16, 2025, paints a picture of extreme financial impropriety. Dangote has specifically accused Farouk Ahmed of spending approximately $7 million on the education of his four children in elite, exclusive schools in Switzerland. The petition argues that such expenditures are grossly inconsistent with the lawful income of a public servant, suggesting a lifestyle supported by illicit funds.

Beyond personal finances, the complaint touches on the heart of Nigeria’s energy security and domestic refining capacity. Dangote alleges that while Ahmed was at the helm of the NMDPRA, he actively undermined the success of local refineries. The petition claims the former regulator colluded with international oil traders and importers to ensure the continued issuance of import licenses, a move that critics say has historically hampered Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in fuel production.

The timing of this investigation is particularly notable given that Farouk Ahmed has already resigned from his position. However, the ICPC has been quick to clarify that a resignation does not provide a shield from accountability. The commission has maintained that the probe will proceed regardless of Ahmed’s current employment status, as the allegations pertain to his conduct while holding a public trust.

John Okor Odey, the spokesperson for the ICPC, confirmed that the commission is taking the matter seriously and is currently in the phase of gathering evidence. The anti-graft agency has requested that the Dangote team provide a comprehensive dossier of the alleged transactions and any documentation that links the former regulator to the described “living above means.”

This case is being watched closely by both the business community and the public, as it represents a rare direct confrontation between one of Africa’s richest men and a high-ranking government official. For Dangote, the stakes are high; he is demanding not just an investigation, but the arrest and prosecution of the former NMDPRA boss. He contends that the actions of the regulatory body under Ahmed’s leadership were not just corrupt, but were economically predatory toward indigenous investments.

The outcome of this Monday session could set a major precedent for how the Nigerian government handles petitions involving top-tier private sector actors and public regulators. If the ICPC finds merit in the documents provided by Dangote’s legal team, it could lead to one of the most high-profile corruption trials in the history of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.