The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has rejected a request by Alhaji Aliko Dangote to withdraw his petition against Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past Authority Chief Executive/Chief Executive Officer (ACE/CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Dangote had accused Ahmed of corrupt practices.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said the commission had already commenced investigations into the allegations in the interest of Nigerians and would not halt the process.
“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,” the statement read.
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Odey disclosed that the commission received a letter dated January 5, titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed,” signed by Dr O.J. Onoja, SAN & Associates, counsel to Dangote.
According to the ICPC, the letter stated that the petitioner had withdrawn the petition dated December 16, 2025, in its entirety, adding that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
However, the commission stressed that, in line with Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of the ICPC Act, investigations had already commenced and were ongoing.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing,” the statement added.
