The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has declined a request by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote to withdraw his corruption petition against Engineer 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 Okor Odey confirmed that the commission received a letter dated January 5, 2026, from Dangote's legal counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN & Associates. The letter, titled "Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed," stated that the original petition filed on December 16, 2025, was being withdrawn in its entirety, as another law enforcement agency had reportedly taken over the matter.
However, the ICPC emphasized that it would proceed with the investigation, citing its statutory powers under Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act. "The investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing," the statement read.
"The ICPC will, therefore, continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria."
Dangote's initial petition accused Ahmed of corruption and financial impropriety, including allegations of unlawful enrichment. Ahmed resigned from his position shortly after the petition was submitted late last year and has not publicly responded to the claims.
This development portrays the ICPC's independence in pursuing high-profile corruption cases, even when petitioners seek to retract allegations.
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