The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said it will go on with its investigation of Farouk Ahmed, former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, even though Aliko Dangote has withdrawn his petition.
The commission made this known in a statement issued by its media office after receiving a letter from Dangote’s lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, dated January 5. The letter informed the agency that the petition submitted on December 16, 2025, had been withdrawn fully and that another security agency was now handling the matter.
Despite this development, the ICPC explained that the withdrawal would not stop its work. The agency said investigations had already started and were still in progress based on the powers given to it by law to act in the interest of the Nigerian state and its people. It added that the process would continue until all issues were properly addressed.
The case began last December when Dangote, through his lawyer, reported Ahmed to the commission over claims of corruption, abuse of office, and actions believed to harm the economy. Ahmed denied the claims. The petition followed a public disagreement between both men over fuel import policies under Ahmed’s leadership at the regulatory authority.
Dangote had argued that the policies weakened local refining efforts, including operations at his refinery. Ahmed, on his part, maintained that allowing fuel imports from different players would prevent monopoly and encourage competition in the sector. The disagreement later widened, with Dangote also raising concerns about Ahmed’s lifestyle and foreign education of his children.
In the midst of the controversy, President Bola Tinubu removed Ahmed from office on December 17, alongside the head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. Dangote’s decision to withdraw the petition came weeks after Ahmed’s removal, but the ICPC said its investigation would continue as required by law.