Nigeria’s anti-graft agency will continue probing the former head of the downstream oil regulator.
The move comes despite billionaire Aliko Dangote’s lawyers withdrawing a petition that initially triggered the investigation, a spokesperson confirmed Thursday.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it received a January 5 letter withdrawing Dangote’s complaint against ex-regulator Farouk Ahmed.
Dangote had filed the petition in December, citing governance concerns and alleged personal spending exceeding declared income, sources familiar with the matter said.
ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey said the investigation is ongoing “in the interest of Nigerians” under the agency’s anti-corruption mandate.
Odey added that another government body has assumed responsibility for parts of the case, signalling inter-agency collaboration on complex corruption matters.
Ahmed, who resigned late last year following Dangote’s petition, has not publicly addressed the allegations or commented on the ongoing probe.
The ICPC provided no further details of the investigation but assured Nigerians of transparency and a firm stance against corruption in public office.
The case highlights continuing scrutiny of Nigeria’s oil sector, where accountability and oversight remain central to public and private interests alike.
