Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has formally asked Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former oil regulator Farouk Ahmed over alleged abuse of office and corrupt enrichment. The petition, filed through Dangote’s lawyer Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN, comes after an earlier complaint to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission was withdrawn, with the switch to the EFCC aimed at speeding up action.
The filing urges the EFCC to examine Ahmed’s conduct while in public office and prosecute him if there is sufficient evidence. Dangote’s team said they are ready to provide documents and other materials to support the claims, which include questions over lavish spending on Ahmed’s children’s education abroad.
Dangote’s complaint highlights the cost of overseas schooling, listing institutions such as Montreux School, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, La Garenne International School, and a Harvard MBA program, estimating total expenditures at roughly $7 million. Dangote argued that such spending raises concerns about conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.
In the petition, Onoja emphasized that swift action by the EFCC would not only address the alleged misconduct but also serve as a deterrent to other public officials who might consider engaging in corruption. Dangote’s renewed allegations follow his public statements in December 2025 questioning Ahmed’s finances and lifestyle, which he described as far beyond legitimate means, especially compared with ordinary citizens in Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto.
