Aljazirah Nigeria, one of the nation’s leading media outlets, has formally retracted a series of publications that alleged financial misconduct by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
The publications in question, released on the 15th and 19th of July, 2025, alleged that Engr. Ahmed had spent N8 billion on his children’s school fees, insinuating that the funds were proceeds of corrupt practices.
However, following an internal, independent investigation by Aljazirah Nigeria, the media house has concluded that the allegations were untrue and emanated from unreliable sources.
In an official letter dated 21st July, 2025, signed by the Group CEO, Dr. Etuk Bassey Williams, Aljazirah Nigeria described the earlier reports as “frivolous and misleading,” emphasising that the organisation is committed to uphold journalistic ethics, fairness, and responsible reportage, values it is widely known for.
“We hereby use this medium to retract the said publications as a responsible media organisation committed to upholding journalistic ethics, given the fact that Aljazirah Nigeria has over the years built a legacy of fairness,” the letter stated.
Dr. Williams further noted that while the media remains committed to holding public officials accountable, it equally bears the duty to correct inaccuracies and make retractions where necessary.
“In this vein, we sincerely tender an unreserved apology to you, with a pledge to always uphold fairness as a cardinal principle of journalism among other fundamentals,” the statement concluded.
