‎The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will continue its investigation into alleged corruption involving the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, despite the withdrawal of the petition against him by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
‎
‎The commission made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr Okor Odey.
‎
‎According to the ICPC, it received a letter titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed”, dated Jan. 5, from Mr O.J. Onoja, SAN, counsel to the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited.
‎
‎The letter informed the commission that Dangote had withdrawn in its entirety the petition dated Dec. 16, 2025, against Ahmed, adding that another law enforcement agency had taken over the matter.
‎
‎However, the ICPC said the withdrawal would not stop its ongoing investigation.
‎“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of the ICPC Act, investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing,” the statement read.
‎The commission added that it would continue to discharge its statutory responsibility in the matter.
‎
‎“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria,” it said.
‎
‎It was reported that Dangote had, in December 2025, petitioned the ICPC, accusing Ahmed of corruption, abuse of office and economic sabotage. Ahmed had denied the allegations.
‎The petition followed a public disagreement between both men over petroleum importation policies implemented during Ahmed’s tenure at the NMDPRA.
‎
‎Dangote had alleged that the policies undermined Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity, particularly the operations of his refinery, while Ahmed maintained that petroleum supply should not be monopolised and that import permits should remain open to other operators to promote competition.
‎
‎The dispute later escalated, with allegations by Dangote that Ahmed was living beyond his legitimate means, claims which the former NMDPRA boss also denied.
‎
‎Amid the controversy, President Bola Tinubu, on Dec. 17, approved the replacement of the leadership of the NMDPRA and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
‎
‎Dangote’s withdrawal of the petition came less than a month after Ahmed was removed from office.