The EFCC has launched an investigation into a petition by Aliko Dangote against former NMDPRA boss Farouk Ahmed over alleged $7m spent on his children’s education in Switzerland

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into a petition filed by the Chairman of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

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According to sources within the anti-graft agency, the investigation will include writing to the Swiss secondary school where Ahmed’s children are allegedly enrolled, as part of efforts to verify claims contained in the petition.

Dangote had, in December 2025, submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that Ahmed spent about $7 million on the secondary education of his children in Switzerland.

In the petition, Dangote accused the former NMDPRA chief of abusing his office and violating the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by allegedly spending public funds running into millions of dollars.

Although Dangote later withdrew the petition from the ICPC through a letter dated January 5, 2026, the commission said it would continue its investigation in line with Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act.

On July 6, the Dangote Group media team disclosed that Dangote, through his lawyer, had submitted a fresh petition against Ahmed to the EFCC.

Confirming the development on Saturday, a senior EFCC official familiar with the matter said the commission had begun work on the petition, but noted that Ahmed had not yet been invited for questioning.

According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the investigation, the EFCC is currently engaging institutions and individuals mentioned in the petition, both locally and internationally.

“We have prepared the ground and have started working on it. We have not invited the accused,” the source said.

“We are writing to all the parties mentioned in the petition. Whoever is indicted is always the last to be invited. All the parties mentioned will be written to provide information that will be used to confront the person accused.”

The official explained that inviting the accused would come only after preliminary inquiries and responses from relevant entities, including foreign institutions.

Another EFCC source added that the commission would need to confirm several claims made in the petition, a process that could involve formally writing to the Swiss school mentioned.

The EFCC has previously contacted educational institutions during investigations into alleged misuse of public funds for school fees.

In the case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede disclosed in 2024 that Bello allegedly transferred $720,000 from government funds to a bureau de change to pay his child’s school fees shortly before leaving office.

During that investigation, the American International School of Abuja confirmed in a letter to the EFCC that a total of $845,852 had been paid in tuition fees, with $760,910 deemed refundable after deducting the cost of services already rendered.

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The EFCC said the current probe into Ahmed would follow due process and standard investigative procedures before any invitation or further action is taken.