Dangote petitions ICPC, seeks probe of NMDPRA boss over alleged $7m Swiss school fees

Business mogul and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Dr. Aliko Dangote, has formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), seeking the investigation, arrest and prosecution of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.

Dangote, in the petition submitted on Tuesday through a team of lawyers led by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, accused the NMDPRA boss of living far beyond his legitimate means as a public servant.

According to the petition, Ahmed allegedly spent over $7 million on tuition fees for four of his children enrolled in different schools in Switzerland, with the fees reportedly paid upfront to cover a six-year period.

To support his claims and aid investigation, Dangote reportedly provided the ICPC with the names of the four children, the Swiss schools they attended and the specific amounts allegedly paid for each of them.

The industrialist further alleged that Ahmed used the instrumentality of the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain and private interests, actions he claimed were to the detriment of the Nigerian people and had previously triggered protests by different groups.

Dangote maintained that the NMDPRA managing director had spent his entire adult working life in Nigeria’s public sector, insisting that his cumulative legitimate earnings over the years could not reasonably account for the alleged $7 million expenditure on foreign education.

“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement are gross acts of corrupt practices for which your Commission is statutorily empowered under Section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” the petition read.

Dangote added that upon successful prosecution under the same section of the law, the offence attracts a prison sentence of five years without an option of fine.

He further expressed confidence in the capacity of the ICPC, working alongside other anti-corruption agencies, to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, noting that courts do not hesitate to punish offenders once a prima facie case is established.

“In view of the above, we call on the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and accordingly prosecute him if found wanting,” Dangote stated.

He stressed that decisive action by the ICPC would help protect the image of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the matter was already in the public domain.

Dangote also pledged to present evidence to substantiate his allegations should the ICPC invite him during the course of its investigation.