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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Hundreds of protesters on Wednesday stormed the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja to demand urgent action over corruption allegations against a top official of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
The protesters, under the auspices of the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), disrupted activities at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency.
Led by its Convener, Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince, the protesters claimed that their action was based on a petition dated 17 December 2025 submitted to the Chairman of the ICPC following a public allegation by the President of Dangote Group Plc, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Dangote, in a widely circulated video, alleged that Engr. Ahmed spent more than US$5 million on the school education of four of his children in Switzerland, insisting that he possessed what he described as incontrovertible and empirical evidence to back the claim.
The protesters, bearing placards and banners with various inscriptions such as “ICPC Must Act Now,” “Investigate the Claim,” “Act on Our Petition,” among others, accused the anti-graft agency of undue silence on an issue they said had generated intense public concern.
According to EUYI, more than 48 hours after the allegation became public – and over 24 hours after the petition was reportedly submitted – there had been no public denial or clarification from Engr. Ahmed.
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“In a country grappling with widespread poverty and severe economic hardship, allegations of this magnitude involving a public office holder cannot be ignored,” the protesters said.
They added that, at prevailing foreign exchange rates, the alleged $5 million expenditure translates to over N7.2 billion, a figure they described as “alarming and deeply disturbing.”
The protesters further urged the ICPC to immediately invite Engr. Ahmed to explain the source of funds allegedly used for the sponsorship of the foreign education of his children to establish if the allegation has merit.
The protesters stressed that their demand was not intended to cast doubt on the Commission’s commitment to the fight against corruption, but rather to underscore the urgency of prompt and transparent action in a matter of significant public interest.
“Nigeria is bleeding from the consequences of corruption. A swift, transparent investigation of allegations involving public officials is critical to restoring public confidence,” the petition stated.
The group said it would continue to monitor developments and mobilise public attention on the matter in the interest of accountability and good governance.
