The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote over his petition against the former managing director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.
Mr Dangote had accused Mr Ahmed of corruption and misappropriation of funds, including spending millions of dollars on his four children’s education in expensive and exclusive schools in Switzerland.
Ahmed has since resigned from his position.
A source in the ICPC, who spoke to The Nation, said the commission raised a panel of investigators on Friday to handle the probe.
Dangote is expected to appear or send his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, on Monday when the investigation formally begins.
The source said, “All is set for the investigation. ICPC has set up a panel of crack investigators on Dangote’s petition. The Chairman of the commission, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), asked the trusted team to stay on a case and focus on Dangote’s petition. This underscores the importance attached to this case.
“We have also invited Dangote or his lawyer to come on Monday to adopt the petition. Either of them is to present relevant documents or evidence to support the petition.
“He who alleges must prove or provide lead on the allegations which our investigators must act on.
“We have acknowledged the receipt of the petition in line with our guidelines or mandate to do so within 48 hours.”
The source added that after the formal adoption of the petition, the commission would isolate the issues and ask Ahmed to respond to the allegations.
“We have been inundated with enquiries but I can assure you that ICPC will be fair to all the parties,” the source said.
Responding to a question, the source stated that Ahmed’s resignation would not affect the investigation, describing the matter as one of public interest.
“The resignation of Ahmed does not affect this probe which is in the public interest,” the source said.
The ICPC source also cited the law guiding the probe, noting that “Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (ICPC Act 2000) makes it an offence for any public officer to use his or her position to confer an unfair or corrupt advantage on himself, his relatives, associates, or other public officers. Anyone found guilty of any such offence is liable to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine.”
The source further warned that the law “also stipulates harsh punishment for individuals deemed to have wasted ICPC’s time and resources by making malicious or frivolous petitions against others.”
