Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, has formally asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate alleged corruption involving the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

In a statement released on Friday by the Dangote Group, the company confirmed that the petition was submitted through its legal team at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja. The move comes days after Dangote withdrew a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which had earlier been approached over the same allegations.

According to the statement, the decision to redirect the complaint to the EFCC was taken to ensure a faster and more effective prosecution process. Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC had maintained that it would continue its investigation into the matter.

The allegations centre on claims of abuse of office and unexplained wealth, including accusations that Ahmed spent millions of dollars on his children’s education abroad while serving as a public official. Dangote’s legal counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja, urged the EFCC to thoroughly investigate the claims and pursue prosecution if the former regulator is found to have violated anti-corruption laws.

The petition also indicated that Dangote is prepared to submit documents and other materials to support the allegations. Citing previous court decisions, the legal team noted that Nigerian courts have consistently upheld prosecutions arising from credible findings of financial misconduct.

The EFCC has yet to issue an official response to the petition. Meanwhile, the development adds a new dimension to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the leadership of key regulatory agencies in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.