The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said the resignation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, should not bring an end to investigations into corruption allegations against him.
NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) said allegations involving forgery and false asset declaration are serious and must be thoroughly investigated, regardless of whether a public officer has stepped down from office.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News Television, Osigwe warned that allowing senior officials to leave office without accountability weakens institutions and entrenches a culture of impunity. He stressed that resignation does not amount to exoneration and should not be treated as closure when grave allegations have been raised.
“Allegations of this nature are too weighty to be used merely for political expediency or administrative convenience,” Osigwe said, adding that once such claims are made, there is a public duty to investigate them to a logical conclusion, either to clear the individual or establish culpability based on credible evidence.
He noted that in cases involving serious claims such as forgery or false declarations, investigations should be conducted and all parties found complicit held accountable.
Osigwe cautioned against a recurring pattern in which allegations surface, a resignation follows, and public interest fades without a transparent or conclusive inquiry. According to him, this creates the impression that accusations are weaponised simply to force officials out of office, with no genuine effort to uncover the truth.
He emphasised that accountability processes must be guided by a commitment to the rule of law rather than political manoeuvring or attempts to gain advantage in regulatory or commercial disputes. Politicising serious allegations, he said, undermines public confidence in governance and the justice system.
While declining to take sides in the dispute involving the NMDPRA and the Dangote Group, Osigwe said perceptions of corruption can be as damaging as proven misconduct, making proper investigation essential.
He added that failure to probe allegations harms not only the individuals concerned but also the credibility of public institutions. According to him, Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts would remain superficial unless allegations are followed by credible investigations and, where necessary, prosecution.
Osigwe warned that allowing allegations to quietly fade after resignations sends a dangerous message that stepping aside can shield public officers from scrutiny, thereby weakening deterrence and institutional integrity.
