Despite Dangote’s Withdrawal, Farouk Ahmed’s Investigation will Go on – ICPC
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has clarified that its investigation into a petition filed by billionaire businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engineer Farouk Ahmed, is ongoing, despite the withdrawal of the petition by the petitioner.
In a statement issued by its Media and Public Communications Unit on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency confirmed receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2026, notifying it of the withdrawal of the petition earlier submitted against Ahmed.
According to the ICPC, the withdrawal letter, titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed,” was written by Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN, of O.J. Onoja SAN & Associates, legal counsel to Dangote.
The Commission said the letter formally withdrew the petition dated December 16, 2025, which was submitted against Ahmed in his capacity as the immediate past Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA.
However, the ICPC stressed that the withdrawal of the petition does not terminate its investigation into the matter.
It stated categorically that in line with the provisions of Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of the ICPC Act, investigations initiated in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state are not dependent on the continued participation of a petitioner.
“The Commission 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 read.
The ICPC further disclosed that while the petition had been withdrawn, another law enforcement agency has taken over aspects of the case, underscoring the multi-agency nature of corruption investigations in Nigeria.
According to the Commission, it will continue to investigate the matter in line with its statutory mandate, emphasising that transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption remain its core priorities.
“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 added.
The clarification comes amid public speculation following reports that Dangote had withdrawn his petition against the former NMDPRA chief, raising questions over the status of the investigation.
The ICPC’s position effectively puts to rest suggestions that the withdrawal of the petition amounts to the closure of the case, reaffirming the Commission’s independence and prosecutorial discretion in corruption-related matters.