Protesters have sustained a daily sit-out at the Abuja offices of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), calling for an urgent investigation into serious corruption allegations against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
The demonstrators are demanding a thorough probe into claims that Ahmed diverted over $5 million in public funds to finance the luxurious overseas education of his children. They are also urging authorities to investigate alleged conflict of interest and nepotism involving the employment of Ahmed’s son, Faisal, by Oando PLC—a company under the regulatory oversight of the NMDPRA.
Hobnob News reports that the protesters have also raised alarms about what they describe as “regulatory compromise” under Ahmed’s leadership, particularly the alleged issuance of permits for the importation of high sulphur diesel, which they say poses grave environmental and public health risks.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Olayemi Isaac said the gravity of the allegations demanded immediate action:
“The allegations against Engr. Farouk Ahmed are serious and demand immediate action. We won’t let him continue to abuse his office and undermine the integrity of the NMDPRA.”
He emphasized the protesters’ resolve to continue occupying the premises of the CCB and ICPC until Ahmed is held accountable:
“The stench of corruption from the NMDPRA is unbearable. If the Attorney General, ICPC, or CCB refuses to act, then they are complicit in the cover-up of a scandal that disgraces every law-abiding Nigerian.”
The protesters are calling for the immediate establishment of a special investigative panel to audit all financial transactions linked to Ahmed and to review all permits issued by the current NMDPRA leadership.
They insist that any findings of wrongdoing must be followed by prosecution and appropriate disciplinary action.
As pressure mounts, neither the NMDPRA nor Engr. Farouk Ahmed has released an official statement in response to the allegations.
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