…Corruption allegations frivolous, untrue – Sources
By Dauda Ismail
Aljazirah Nigeria Newspapers, a prominent national news outlet, has formally withdrawn its recent publications alleging financial impropriety by Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA.
The articles, published on 15th and 19th July 2025, claimed that Engr. Ahmed had spent N8 billion on his children’s education, suggesting the funds stemmed from corrupt activities.
Following an independent internal review and thorough investigation, AljazirahNigeria discovered that the claims were unfounded and sourced from unreliable information.
The independent review of the stories and further investigation revealed the reports to be “frivolous and misleading” and done without thoroughly scruitinising the sources quoted in the said stories.
In the course of the independent internal review, it was discovered that most of Engr Ahmed’s children were on scholarship in those foreign schools, and had graduated before he even got the NMDPRA job.
Further investigation revealed that, one of his children, who is a masters degree holder, is yet.to be gainfully employed despite his father’s position because of Engr Ahmed s refusal to influence any employment in any federal government agency; a feat not common in today’s Nigeria.
Impeccable sources not only revealed but proved that the corruption allegations raised in the petition quoted in the reports were frivolous and untrue, and a deliberate attempt to dent the image of the NMDPRA boss.
The management of AljazirahNigeria therefore promised that the staff involved in the embarrassing reports shall face stern disciplinary action in order to serve as a deterent to others so as to avoid a repeat of similar actions.
The editorial staff of the organisation were therefore enjoined to always make sure whatever sources they are quoting, are properly scrutinised so as not to give a platform to people to settle personal scores, while impugning on the credibility of the organisation.
Following this independent internal review and investigation, management of the organisation assured readers of its longstanding commitment to journalistic integrity, accuracy, and ethical standards that has endeared it to its teaming readers.
