The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that its investigation into a petition filed by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote against the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, is ongoing, despite the withdrawal of the petition.
Dangote submitted the petition on December 16, 2025, alleging corruption, financial impropriety, and abuse of office during Ahmed’s tenure.
On January 5, 2026, Dangote’s legal representatives formally withdrew the petition.
The ICPC clarified on Wednesday January 7, 2026, that the withdrawal does not automatically halt an investigation.
The commission had already begun preliminary inquiries, giving it statutory authority to continue probing the matter in the public interest.
READ ALSO: Alleged Corruption: ICPC Opens Probe Into NMDPRA Boss After Dangote’s Petition
Ahmed, who recently exited office, has not publicly responded to the ICPC’s statement, and it remains unclear whether he has been formally questioned as part of the ongoing probe.
The ICPC emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that credible allegations of misconduct in public office will be investigated thoroughly, regardless of the petition’s withdrawal.
The commission has not provided a timeline for concluding the investigation.