By Wellington Jopelo
Chairman of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, has filed a fresh corruption petition against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The petition, submitted through Dangote’s legal team, accuses Ahmed of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment, and urges the anti-graft agency to investigate the allegations and prosecute him if found culpable.
Dangote’s move to the EFCC follows his recent withdrawal of a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a decision his lawyers described as strategic and aimed at speeding up the prosecution process.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Dangote Group media team and made available to our correspondent.
Recall that Dangote had earlier asked the ICPC to probe Ahmed over allegations that he spent about $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland, an allegation that drew public attention before the petition was withdrawn.
Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC had announced that it would continue with its investigation into the matter, citing its statutory powers.
In the new petition addressed to the EFCC and signed by Lead Counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the commission to deploy its expertise in financial crimes to unravel the alleged misconduct and ensure accountability.
The petition further stated that Dangote is ready to provide documentary and other evidence to substantiate the claims of financial misconduct and impunity levelled against the former NMDPRA boss.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders,” the petition read, citing recent judicial authorities.