VIRAL STATEMENT DIDN'T ORIGINATE FROM ME - NMDPRA BOSS, FAROUK AHMED

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By ‘Leke Yusuf

Embattled Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, says that a statement circulating in his name, responding to recent allegations by Aliko Dangote, did not emanate from him.

In a statement, Ahmed said; “My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.

“While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family and the frenzy it has generated, as a regulator of a sensitive industry, I have opted not to engage in public brickbat.

“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.”

On December 16, Dangote filed a petition asking for the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Ahmed. He claimed that Ahmed was living beyond his means as a public servant.

The petition, which was received by the office of the Chairman of the ICPC, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), stated that the Dangote Group Chairman accused the head of the NMDPRA of spending over $7 million without proof of lawful income.

This money was allegedly used to send his four children to schools in Switzerland for six years, all upfront.

In the petition, Dangote listed the names of the four children and the schools they attended in Switzerland, along with the amount paid for each, to support his claims and help the anti–graft agency verify the allegations.

He also accused Farouk Ahmed of using his position at NMDPRA to misuse public funds for personal gain and private interests, harming the Nigerian people.

This led to protests and anger from various groups.

Dangote further claimed that Farouk Ahmed throughout his lifetime as an adult worked in the public sector in Nigeria and that the totality of his earnings over the years was nothing close to $7 million, allegedly diverted from the public coffers to pay for the education of his teenage children abroad.

“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of Code of Conduct for public officers, Corrupt enrichment, embezzlement are gross Act of corrupt practices for which your Commission (ICPC) is statutorily empowered under section 19, of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” Dangote said.

“Upon a successful prosecution of such a person, under section 19, of the ICPC Act, the person is liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine.

“We make bold to state that the ICPC is strategically positioned along the sister agencies to, prosecute financial crimes and other corruption related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the Courts do not hesitate to punish offenders.

“In view of the above, we call on the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complain of abuse of office and corruption against Engr Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly, prosecute him if found wanting.

“We have no reservation that being a matter that is in the public domain, the Commission will not close its eyes to it but act decisively to ensure that justice is done and the good image of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is protected.”

Dangote promised to be present on the ground to provide evidence supporting his claims of corruption.