by George Ozalla
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has declared that its investigation into the petition filed by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, immediate past Authority Chief Executive and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, remains ongoing despite the withdrawal of the petition by the petitioner.
The Commission disclosed that it received a letter dated January 5, 2026, titled Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, submitted by Dr. O. J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, legal counsel to Dangote. According to the letter, the petition dated December 16, 2025, was withdrawn in its entirety on the grounds that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
However, the ICPC stated that the withdrawal does not affect its ongoing probe. According to a press statement signed by the Commission’s spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, the investigation had already commenced in line with the provisions of sections 3 subsection 14 and 27 subsection 3 of the ICPC Act before the notice of withdrawal was received.
The Commission stressed that its actions are guided strictly by its statutory mandate and the overriding interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state. It maintained that once an investigation is lawfully initiated, it cannot be discontinued solely on the basis of a petitioner’s withdrawal, particularly where issues of public interest are involved.
The ICPC further assured that the matter will be pursued thoroughly to promote transparency, accountability and the sustained fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Engineer Farouk Ahmed served as the immediate past head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, a key agency responsible for regulating critical segments of the petroleum industry.
