By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has declared that its investigation into allegations against the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engineer Farouk Ahmed, will continue despite the withdrawal of a petition by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The anti-graft agency confirmed on Wednesday night that it had received a formal notice of withdrawal dated January 5, 2025, from Dangote’s legal representatives. The notice was conveyed through his lawyer, Dr. Ogwu Onoja (SAN).
ICPC spokesperson, Mr. John Odey, explained that although the petitioner had withdrawn the complaint in its entirety, investigations had already commenced and could not be discontinued.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing,” Odey said.
According to the Commission, the decision to sustain the probe is anchored on its statutory responsibility to promote transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption in the country.
“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria,” the statement added.
Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, had in December petitioned the ICPC, calling for the prosecution of Ahmed over alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds and the pursuit of private interests to the detriment of Nigerians. He had also insisted that he possessed substantial evidence to back his claims.
However, PRIME GOSSIP gathered that the industrialist withdrew the petition after another government agency took over the matter, prompting his decision to step back from the complaint before the ICPC.