A coalition of public interest lawyers and civil society organisations on Wednesday submitted a petition to the House of Representatives, calling for the immediate suspension and investigation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, over allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and conflict of interest.
Led by legal activist Samuel Ihensekhien, the coalition — which includes the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, Concerned Young Professionals Network, and the Coalition for Public Accountability (COPA) — accused Ahmed of diverting over $5 million in public funds, allegedly used to finance the foreign education of his four children.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly Complex, Ihensekhien said: “We are here again to demand accountability and transparency from Mr. Farouk Ahmed. His actions are a clear betrayal of public trust, and it’s time for him to face the consequences.”
The petition also cites an alleged conflict of interest involving Ahmed’s son, Faisal Ahmed, who is reportedly employed by Oando Plc — a company under the regulatory oversight of the NMDPRA. The group argues this compromises regulatory neutrality and casts doubt on the integrity of the sector’s governance.
“This is a clear case of corruption and abuse of office,” said another member of the coalition, Jnr Desmond Tabakwot. “We will not stand idly by while public officials loot our treasury and undermine our institutions.”
Their demands include Ahmed’s immediate suspension from office, a thorough investigation and prosecution by anti-corruption agencies, and the freezing of all assets linked to him locally and abroad. The group also called for collaboration with international bodies like INTERPOL to aid in possible extradition efforts if necessary.
Dr. S. M. Oyeghe, another signatory to the petition, stressed the need for urgent action: “We will not rest until justice is served. The National Assembly must act decisively to restore public trust and demonstrate that no official is above the law.”
This development marks the latest wave of public pressure on the embattled NMDPRA chief. As the petition gains traction, stakeholders across the oil and gas industry are closely monitoring how the National Assembly and relevant authorities will respond to the serious allegations.
