The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said it will continue its investigation of the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Engineer Farouk Ahmed, despite the withdrawal of a petition earlier submitted by Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited.
The anti corruption agency made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey.
The statement confirmed that the commission received a letter dated January 5, 2026, notifying it of the withdrawal of the petition initially filed against Ahmed.
According to the ICPC, the petition, which was dated December 16, 2025, was withdrawn in its entirety by Dangote through his legal representatives, O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates. The commission was also informed that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
However, the ICPC clarified that its investigation had already commenced before the withdrawal of the petition and would not be discontinued. The agency explained that its actions were guided by the provisions of its enabling law, which empowers it to investigate issues of public interest regardless of a petitioner’s decision to withdraw a complaint.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission 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,” the statement read.
It added, “The letter states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE and CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.”
The commission further stated that the withdrawal would not affect its ongoing inquiry, stressing that investigations had already begun in line with statutory provisions.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing,” the statement said.
It emphasised that it would proceed with the investigation in line with its statutory mandate, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption.
The commission had earlier confirmed that it received a formal petition from Dangote in December 2025, in which allegations of misconduct were raised against the former NMDPRA chief. Dangote, through his lawyer, had called for the arrest and prosecution of Ahmed over the allegations.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission writes to confirm that it received a formal petition on Tuesday, 16th December, 2025, from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer,” the ICPC had stated at the time.
