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Over 50 CSOs Dismiss Corruption Allegations Against NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed

Published

10 months ago

December 16, 2025

…Accuse Dangote of undermining regulatory independence

Over fifty Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Monday rose in strong defence of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, unanimously dismissing allegations of corruption levelled against him by Mr Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, as false, unfounded and unsupported by evidence.

The CSOs made their position known at a joint press conference in Abuja, where they described the allegations as a calculated attempt to discredit the leadership of the NMDPRA over its firm stance against monopolistic practices in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.

Addressing journalists on behalf of the coalition, the Convener, Comrade Ibrahim Bello, who is also the National Coordinator of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI), said the organisations had conducted internal reviews and assessments and found no basis whatsoever for the claims of corruption against the NMDPRA boss.

“Our findings clearly show that Mr Farouk Ahmed has not engaged in any corrupt practice. Rather, he has been repositioning the downstream sector to promote fairness, competition and efficiency, while ensuring that no single entity monopolises the industry to the detriment of Nigerians,” Bello stated.

He added that the leadership of the NMDPRA under Ahmed has remained faithful to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), strengthening regulatory transparency and creating opportunities for more investors to participate in the sector.

The coalition specifically debunked claims attributed to Mr Dangote that the NMDPRA CEO allegedly paid five million United States dollars ($5 million) as school fees for his children in Switzerland, stressing that no proof or verifiable evidence had been provided to substantiate such assertions.

According to the CSOs, making such grave allegations in the media without recourse to due process poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s regulatory institutions and reform agenda.

Prominent members of the coalition who endorsed the position include Hajiya Fatima Sani, Executive Director of Citizens Watch for Good Governance (CWGG); Barrister Chukwudi Eze, Chairman of the Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative (ADVI); Dr Mrs Ngozi Okeke, President of the Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste (NCACW); and Pastor Emmanuel Adebayo, General Secretary of the Voice of Conscience Foundation (VOCF).

Others are Mr Tunde Ogunleye, National Convener of the Integrity Monitors Network (IMN); Ms Chioma Nwosu, Chairperson of Patriots for Transparent Procurement (PTP); Comrade Aisha Yusuf, National Secretary of the Civil Liberties and Anti-Corruption Movement (CLACOM); and Engr. Musa Abdullahi, Director of Programmes at the Due Process Advocacy Network (DPAN).

Also lending their voices were Prof. Grace Adeyemi, Board Chair of the National Alliance for Ethical Leadership (NAEL); Mr Segun Olawale, Spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Open Governance (CCOG); Barr. (Mrs.) Funmi Adewole, Legal Adviser to the Justice and Accountability Project (JAP); and Alhaji Usman Danladi, Northern Coordinator of the Nigerian Integrity and Development Forum (NIDF).

Regional leaders present included Rev. Fr. Joseph Okon, South-South Zonal Chairman of the Public Funds Protection Movement (PFPM); Ms Bolanle Adeoti, Women Leader of Transparency and Responsibility Advocates (TRA); Elder Peter Okonkwo, South-East Coordinator of the Good Governance Monitors Assembly (GGMA); and Mallam Bello Yakubu, North-West Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Crusaders Network (ACCN), alongside representatives of several other organisations.

The CSOs argued that the sustained attacks on the NMDPRA leadership stem from its refusal to compromise regulatory standards or allow any company to dominate the petroleum downstream space.

“We believe these allegations are aimed at intimidating the regulator because of its insistence on fairness, competition and value for Nigerians,” the coalition said.

While reaffirming their commitment to transparency and accountability, the organisations urged individuals and corporate entities with genuine grievances to follow due process, rather than resorting to media trials.

They called on Nigerians to disregard the unproven allegations, urged stakeholders in the petroleum sector to respect regulatory institutions, and appealed to the Federal Government to continue supporting the independence and reform-driven leadership of the NMDPRA.

The coalition concluded by reaffirming its full confidence in Mr Farouk Ahmed, describing him as a regulator whose actions have strengthened credibility, boosted stakeholder confidence and safeguarded the national interest in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum industry.

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DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development

Published

1 day ago

October 21, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Samania

The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.

Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.

He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.

According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.

He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.

Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.

Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.

According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.

He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.

Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.

He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.

Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.

He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.

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