On Monday, the 7th of July, 2025, around 500 public interest lawyers marched to the Presidential Villa and National Assembly with a formal complaint against Ahmed Farouk, head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Joined by civil society groups, the protesters demanded swift action over what they described as serious ethical and financial violations.
The allegations include improper use of public office and personal conflicts of interest.
Speaking to reporters, Samuel Ihensekhien, who represented the lawyers, claimed Farouk had already left the country in a bid to escape potential arrest.
“This flagrant misuse of public resources, at a time when millions of Nigerians suffer from deteriorating public education infrastructure, is both morally reprehensible and criminally indictable.
“The actions of Mr. Ahmed represent a clear abuse of office, a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust, and a severe breach of the judiciary duty required of all public servants,”he said.
Referring to accusations that Farouk misappropriated $5 million in public funds to finance his children’s tuition abroad.
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The group asked lawmakers to open a formal inquiry, freeze all known assets linked to Farouk both in Nigeria and overseas and recommend his immediate removal from office.
They also called for changes to how senior officials are appointed to regulatory bodies in the oil and gas sector, stressing the need for transparency and proper vetting.
The petition is backed by several advocacy groups, including the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, the Concerned Young Professionals Network, and the Coalition for Public Accountability (COPA). These organisations have staged their own demonstrations, echoing calls for Farouk’s suspension and trial.
The organisers say leaving Farouk in charge poses a threat to any meaningful clean-up of the petroleum industry. They described his conduct as a breach of duty and a betrayal of the public’s trust.
Those behind the petition argue that Farouk’s presence in office undermines efforts to build transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry.
They say his actions are a serious breach of public trust and a direct challenge to ongoing reform efforts within the sector.