The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has received a notice of withdrawal of petition against the immediate past Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The Commission said notice of withdrawal of the petition was submitted by legal counsel to Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Dr O.J. Onoja, SAN.
In a statement released on Wednesday signed by ICPC Spokesperson John Okor Odey, the Commission said Dangote’s legal counsel notified it that another law enforcement agency has taken over.
ICPC, however, said that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of the ICPC Act, it has commenced investigations into the allegations raised in the petition. It insisted that the investigation must continue in the interest of the Nigerian people and the state and for the sake of transparency and accountability.
The statement reads: “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is in receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2026, titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, submitted to the Commission by Dr O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, legal counsel to Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
READ ALSO: Nigerians Demand Full Probe, Prosecution of Ex-NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed
“The letter from O.J. Onoja, SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, the investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.
“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.”
READ ALSO: Dangote Accuses Fuel Importers of Sponsoring False Reports of Refinery Shutdown
Pinnacle Daily recalls that Dangote had, on December 16, filed a petition at the ICPC through his lawyer, Onoja, accusing Ahmed of living above his means as a public official and calling for his arrest, investigation and prosecution.
Dangote specifically alleged that Ahmed spent over $7 million on the education of his four children in various schools in Switzerland without evidence of lawful income to justify such expenditure.
The petition followed a media briefing held by Aliko Dangote in Lagos, where he accused Ahmed and the NMDPRA of engaging in activities that sabotage domestic refining.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X
