BY Anthony Ochela, Abuja
Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, has declared that its investigation into a petition filed by billionaire industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, against the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Engr Farouk Ahmed, would go on, despite the withdrawal of the petition.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the commission disclosed that it received a letter dated January 5, titled ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed’ from Dr. O.J. Onoja (SAN) and Associates, counsel to Dangote.
According to the letter, Dangote withdrew the entire petition dated December 16, 2025 earlier submitted against Ahmed, noting that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
However, it made it clear that the withdrawal does not halt its actions.
The commission said investigations had already commenced before the notice of withdrawal and would continue in line with the law.
Citing Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of the ICPC Act, the anti-corruption commmission stressed that once a matter is initiated in public interest, it retains the statutory authority to investigate irrespective of a petitioner’s decision to step back.
“The investigation is in the interest of the Nigerian people. It has commenced and is presently ongoing,” the commission in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr Okor Odey, insisted.
ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to pursue the probe strictly within its mandate, emphasising that the process is aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption.
