By DAYO ADESULU
Nigeria’s anti-corruption landscape has been thrust back into the spotlight as billionaire industrialist and Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corruption involving the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
The petition, which has now become widely known as the Faroukgate scandal, was submitted through Dangote’s legal team at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, marking a significant escalation in the high-profile dispute that has continued to stir public debate within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Dangote Moves Petition From ICPC to EFCC
The move to the EFCC followed the withdrawal of the same petition earlier submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Sources close to the development describe the decision as a strategic one, aimed at ensuring a faster, more robust, and financially focused investigation into the allegations.
Legal analysts note that the EFCC’s broader mandate over financial crimes, asset tracing, and illicit enrichment places it in a stronger position to probe the weighty claims raised against the former petroleum regulator.
In the petition signed by Lead Counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN, Dangote formally accused Ahmed of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment, urging the commission to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute him if found culpable.
Legal Weight Behind the Petition
Dangote’s legal team anchored its request on established judicial precedents, expressing confidence in the EFCC’s capacity to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences,” the petition stated. It further referenced recent court decisions, including Lawan v. FRN (2024) and Shema v. FRN (2018), which reaffirm the judiciary’s readiness to punish proven cases of corruption.
Dr. Onoja also directly appealed to the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, to ensure the petition is handled with urgency, professionalism, and transparency.
Allegations of Living Beyond Legitimate Means
At the heart of the Faroukgate controversy are allegations that Engr. Farouk Ahmed lived far beyond his legitimate earnings while serving as a top regulatory official in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
Dangote first raised the alarm publicly on December 14, 2025, questioning how a public servant could sustain the kind of lifestyle allegedly enjoyed by Ahmed and his family without questionable sources of income.
According to the petition, four of Ahmed’s children attended some of the most expensive secondary schools in Switzerland over a six-year period—an educational path that allegedly cost millions of dollars.
Costly Swiss Education Under Scrutiny
Dangote’s petition provided specific details of the schools attended by Ahmed’s children:
Faisal Farouk – Montreux School
Farouk Jr. – Aiglon College
Ashraf Farouk – Institut Le Rosey
Farhana Farouk – La Garenne International School
The petition estimated that tuition, travel, accommodation, and upkeep for each child cost approximately $200,000 per year, amounting to nearly $5 million for secondary education alone.
Beyond secondary schooling, Dangote further alleged that an additional $2 million was spent on tertiary education for the four children. This includes a reported $210,000 for Faisal Farouk’s MBA programme at Harvard University in 2025.
Public Interest and Moral Questions
Dangote did not mince words in framing the issue as one of national interest and moral accountability.
“Nigerians deserve to know the source of these funds,” he stated, particularly at a time when many families—especially in Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto—struggle to pay basic school fees of as little as ₦10,000.
The statement has resonated strongly with members of the public, civil society groups, and policy analysts, who argue that regulatory officials must be held to the highest standards of financial transparency to maintain trust in governance.
Call for Swift EFCC Action
The petition emphasized that prompt action by the EFCC would not only address the allegations against Ahmed but also serve as a deterrent to other public officials who may be tempted to abuse their positions.
“The commission’s firm resolve in handling this matter with dispatch is not only imperative but will also serve as a deterrent to other public officers with corrupt tendencies,” the petition noted.
Implications for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector
Observers say the Faroukgate scandal could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory framework, particularly at a time when the country is working to attract investment, enforce compliance, and restore credibility in the sector.
For Dangote, the development reinforces his long-standing public posture on transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity. For regulators and public officeholders, it sends a clear signal that scrutiny does not end with tenure.
As the EFCC reviews the petition, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the high-profile allegations lead to a full investigation—and possibly prosecution—capable of restoring public confidence in regulatory institutions.
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