By Peter Dansu A coalition of public interest lawyers and civil society groups have petitioned President Bola Tinubu demanding the immediat...
By Peter Dansu
A coalition of public interest lawyers and civil society groups have petitioned President Bola Tinubu demanding the immediate sack, investigation, and prosecution of Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), over grave allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and conflict of interest.
In a strongly worded petition dated July 9, the group – operating under the banner of the League of Public Interest Lawyers in Nigeria – said it was compelled to act following widespread media reports and public concern over Mr. Ahmed’s alleged misconduct while in office.
According to the petition, Mr. Ahmed is accused of diverting over $5 million in public funds to sponsor the foreign education of his four children in elite institutions across Switzerland and India – a move the lawyers described as "morally reprehensible and criminally indictable," especially in light of Nigeria's struggling public education system.
The petitioners also alleged conflict of interest and nepotism, citing that Mr. Ahmed’s son, Faisal Ahmed, was employed by Oando PLC, a private company regulated by NMDPRA. This, they said, violates ethical standards and compromises the integrity and independence of the regulatory authority.
“This is a betrayal of public trust and a direct abuse of office,” the lawyers stated. “Allowing Mr. Ahmed to remain in this sensitive role further threatens transparency and undermines critical reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”
Adding urgency to their demands, the petition claimed that Mr. Ahmed has fled the country, allegedly hiding on a private island in the United States to avoid arrest. The group called this an attempt to obstruct justice and embolden a culture of impunity unless addressed swiftly.
In their demands, the lawyers urged President Tinubu and the National Assembly to:
-
Launch an immediate investigation into the allegations and summon Mr. Ahmed and all relevant stakeholders.
-
Suspend and sack Mr. Ahmed to prevent interference with ongoing investigations.
-
Work with international agencies like Interpol to track and extradite him to Nigeria.
-
Freeze all his local and offshore assets.
-
Institute reforms in how regulatory agency heads are appointed, monitored, and held accountable.
The petition, signed by prominent legal figures including Samuel Ihensekhien Jnr, Desmond Tabakwot Esq, S.M. Oyeghe Esq, and Dr. Bennet Joseph Ebikon Esq, has already attracted support from various civil society organisations such as the Concerned Young Professionals Network, Coalition for Public Accountability (COPA), and the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms.
“These allegations cannot be swept under the carpet. This is a defining moment for your administration to show zero tolerance for corruption,” the petitioners told the President, adding that Nigerians are watching closely.
As of press time, Mr. Farouk Ahmed has not responded to the allegations. The NMDPRA has also not issued any official statement regarding the claims.
No comments