NMDPRA boss disowns alleged response to Dangote’s accusations

Farouk Ahmed, chief executive Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)

Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has distanced himself from a response to Aliko Dangote’s allegations against him.

Ahmed, in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday, said that while he was aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against him and his family, and the frenzy they have generated, he had opted not to engage in public brickbats, given his role as a regulator in a sensitive industry.

Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Industries Limited had accused Ahmed of economic sabotage, which he said is undermining domestic refining in Nigeria. He also accused the leadership of the NMDPRA of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products.

Read also: Dangote releases more details of elite Swiss schools attended by NMDPRA’s CEO children

Dangote also claimed that Ahmed was living beyond his legitimate means, adding that four of his children attend secondary schools in Switzerland at costs running into several million of dollars. He said such expenditure raised serious questions about potential conflict of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.

In his response, Ahmed said that the issue, being taken to a formal investigative institution, would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear his name.

He said, “My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.

“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.

“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.”

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