ICPC confirms receipts of Dangote’s petition against NMDPRA CEO

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the receipt of a formal petition from Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.

In a media release issued on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the anti-graft agency said the petition was submitted through Dangote’s legal representatives and would be thoroughly investigated in line with its statutory mandate.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to confirm that it received a formal petition today, Tuesday, 16th December, 2025, from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer. The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed,” the statement read.

The Commission added that the petition would be subjected to due investigative processes.

“The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated,” the agency said.

The confirmation comes amid lingering public controversy surrounding allegations previously raised by Dangote against regulatory authorities in the oil and gas sector. Dangote had, in recent months, openly accused regulators of actions he claimed were undermining local refining efforts, particularly the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Although details of the petition were not disclosed by the ICPC, the development is widely seen as a continuation of Dangote’s grievances over regulatory decisions affecting Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, including issues related to licensing, product imports and market regulation.

The allegations had sparked nationwide debate, drawing responses from industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies, with the NMDPRA earlier defending its actions as being in line with existing laws and its mandate to ensure fair competition and energy security.

With the ICPC now formally seized of the matter, attention is expected to shift to the outcome of the investigation, which could have significant implications for regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.