ICPC Rejects Dangote’s Withdrawal of Petition Against Ex-NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has declined a request by Alhaji Aliko Dangote to withdraw his petition against Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said the commission had already begun investigating the allegations and would proceed in line with its legal mandate.

According to the statement, the ICPC received a letter dated January 5, 2026, titled *“Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed.”* The letter was signed by Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN, and Associates, counsel to Dangote.

The letter informed the commission that the petition dated December 16, 2025, had been withdrawn in full, citing that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.

However, the ICPC said the withdrawal request could not halt its investigation. Citing Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, the commission stated that investigations had already commenced and were ongoing in the public interest.

“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter,” the commission said, adding that the process would be conducted in the interest of transparency, accountability, and Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.