The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened an investigation into allegations against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, following a petition submitted by the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.

As part of the probe, the anti-graft agency is reaching out to institutions mentioned in the petition, including a secondary school in Switzerland where Ahmed’s children are said to be enrolled, to verify claims relating to the alleged payment of school fees.

Dangote had accused the former NMDPRA boss of spending about $7 million on his children’s education abroad, alleging that the funds were unlawfully sourced and amounted to an abuse of office in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

The petition was first submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in December 2025 but was withdrawn in January 2026. Despite the withdrawal, the ICPC indicated that it would continue preliminary steps in line with its enabling law.

In July, Dangote, through his legal representatives, filed a fresh petition with the EFCC, prompting the commission’s current investigation. A senior EFCC official familiar with the matter confirmed that although inquiries have begun, Ahmed has not yet been invited for questioning.

According to the official, the EFCC is following standard investigative procedure by first engaging all parties and institutions named in the petition, both within and outside Nigeria, before inviting the accused.

Another official noted that confirming some of the allegations would require direct communication with the Swiss school referenced in the petition.

The EFCC has used similar approaches in past cases involving alleged misuse of public funds, particularly where school fee payments were involved. The commission said further steps in the investigation would depend on the outcome of the ongoing local and international inquiries.