Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has publicly disowned a statement circulating in his name regarding the recent corruption allegations involving the Dangote Group.
In a terse clarification issued on Wednesday, Ahmed stated categorically that the “so-called statement did not emanate from me.” The purported response was widely shared as his official reaction to the escalating scandal.
“While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family and the frenzy it has generated, as a regulator of a sensitive industry, I have opted not to engage in public brickbat,” Ahmed explained.
Signaling a preference for formal legal channels over a media battle, the regulator noted that the matter has been taken to a formal investigative institution. He expressed confidence that this process would “provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.”
The NMDPRA, under Ahmed’s leadership, is a key regulator in the nation’s critical oil and gas sector, making its chief executive’s association with such allegations a sensitive issue. His decision to distance himself from any unauthorized defense underscores the official stance of avoiding public commentary on the ongoing case.
Background of the Allegations:
The controversy stems from recent explosive claims made by the Management of Dangote Industries Limited. In a public statement last week, the conglomerate accused NMDPRA officials, including the CEO, of deliberately impeding the operational efficiency of its massive 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Dangote alleged that the Authority was granting licences for the importation of “substandard diesel and jet fuel” into Nigeria, despite the refinery’s capacity to meet national demand with higher-quality, locally produced fuels.
The company framed this as an attempt to cripple its operations and protect the interests of a “foreign refinery” cartel.
Furthermore, the allegations took a personal turn, claiming that pressure was being applied on Dangote to sell its petrol to these importers at a discounted rate. The statement accused certain NMDPRA officials of attempting to sabotage the $20 billion refinery project from its inception.
Beyond these allegations, Dangote also accused Farouk of living a lavish life style and sponsoring his children overseas education with over £5, 000,000.
The business mogul has also petitioned the ICPC to investigate Farouk.
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