The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that businessman Aliko Dangote has withdrawn his petition against Ahmed Farouk, the former chief executive of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum regulator, even as investigations into the allegations remain ongoing.
Dangote, the President of Dangote Group, had filed the petition in December 2025 through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, accusing Farouk of corruption and financial misconduct. The complaint urged the anti-graft agency to arrest, investigate and prosecute the former regulator.
According to the petition, Farouk was alleged to have lived far above his legitimate earnings as a public officer. Dangote claimed that Farouk spent over $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland within six years, without any known lawful income to justify such expenditure.
ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, disclosed on Wednesday that the withdrawal was formally communicated to the commission by Dangote’s legal representative.
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He noted that the petition was withdrawn in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency had assumed responsibility for aspects of the case.
Despite the withdrawal, Odey stressed that the ICPC would not halt its investigation. He explained that the commission had already commenced inquiries in line with provisions of the ICPC Act and would see the process through.
He added that the decision to continue the probe aligns with the commission’s mandate to promote accountability, transparency and the fight against corruption.
Farouk had resigned as the head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority less than a day after the petition was filed, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
