Dangote Withdraws ICPC Petition Against Ex-NMDPRA Boss, Ahmed

The President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has withdrawn the petition he submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The petition was formally withdrawn through Dangote’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN).

According to Daily Trust, sources said the business mogul withdrew the petition after another government agency took over the matter.

Dangote had, in December, petitioned the ICPC, urging the anti-graft agency to prosecute Ahmed over allegations that he abused the powers of his office to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain and private interests, to the detriment of Nigerians.

At the time, Dangote maintained that he had substantial facts to support the allegations against the former regulatory chief.

Confirming the development, the ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, told journalists on Wednesday night that the petition had been withdrawn.

However, Odey stressed that the withdrawal would not halt the Commission’s actions on the matter.

In a statement issued shortly after the confirmation, the ICPC spokesperson said the agency would continue to investigate the allegations in line with its statutory responsibilities.

According to him, the Commission’s decision to proceed with the probe is guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and the broader fight against corruption.

“Despite the withdrawal of the petition, the Commission will continue to investigate the matter in line with its statutory mandate,” Odey said.

He added that the ongoing investigation was in the public interest and aimed at strengthening governance accountability.

The development comes amid sustained public scrutiny of regulatory agencies and renewed calls for transparency in the management of public resources.