…Faces ICPC over $7m school fees petition
President of the Ɗangote Group, Aliko Dangote, is simultaneously battling a defamation controversy and pushing a high-profile anti-corruption petition, as the ICPC formally opens an investigation into his allegations against the immediate-past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
In one front, Ɗangote has issued a seven-day ultimatum to a Kaduna-based businessman, Engr. Kailani Mohammed, demanding a public retraction and unreserved apology over what he described as libelous statements made during a televised interview. Failure to comply, Ɗangote warned, would trigger a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit.
In a letter dated December 20, 2025, and signed by his lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), Ɗangote accused Mohammed of making false and malicious claims during a television programme aired in reaction to Ɗangote’s petition to the ICPC against Farouk Ahmed. The letter alleged that Mohammed accused Dangote of engaging in “unclean business” activities in Port Harcourt in the 1980s and questioned the source of his wealth.
Ɗangote categorically denied ever doing business in Port-Harcourt at any time, describing the allegations as fictitious, reckless and damaging to his personal and corporate reputation. He said the remarks portrayed him as corrupt, monopolistic and vindictive, exposing him to public ridicule locally and internationally.
The demand letter, titled: “Demand for Public Explanation, Retraction, and Unreserved Public Apology on Your Libelous Publication Against Alhaji Aliko Ɗangote, GCON”, requires Mohammed to, within seven days, publicly explain and substantiate his claims on the same television platform, retract the statements in full if unable to do so, issue an apology with equal prominence, pay ₦100 billion in damages, and undertake in writing to desist from further defamatory publications.
Ɗangote warned that non-compliance would attract immediate legal action, including claims for aggravated damages and possible criminal defamation proceedings.
The legal threat comes amid escalating tensions following Ɗangote’s petition to the ICPC against Farouk Ahmed, who resigned his position as NMDPRA boss shortly after the allegations surfaced.
Yesterday, the ICPC confirmed it has invited Dangote or his lawyer to appear on Monday to formally adopt the petition and submit supporting evidence, as the commission pushes ahead with its investigation despite Ahmed’s resignation.
Sources disclosed that a special panel of investigators has already been constituted to handle the probe, underscoring the gravity attached to the case.
In the petition, Ɗangote accused Ahmed of corruption, abuse of office and economic sabotage, alleging that the former regulator spent over $7 million on the education of his four children in exclusive schools in Switzerland without evidence of lawful income. He further accused Ahmed of undermining domestic refining by colluding with international oil traders through the continued issuance of petroleum import licences.
ICPC sources said Ɗangote is expected to present documents backing his claims, stressing that “he who alleges must prove.”
After adoption of the petition, the Commission will isolate the issues and invite Ahmed to respond. The agency also warned that while the law empowers it to investigate and prosecute corrupt enrichment under Section 19 of the ICPC Act, it equally prescribes penalties for malicious or frivolous petitions.
Confirming receipt of the petition, ICPC spokesperson John Okor Odey said the commission received a formal complaint from Dangote on December 16, 2025, and assured that it would be thoroughly investigated in line with the law.
