A group of public interest lawyers stormed the National Assembly on Tuesday, submitting a petition to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, demanding the immediate suspension and prosecution of Farouk Ahmed, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The lawyers cited grave allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and conflict of interest against Ahmed, including the alleged diversion of over $5 million of public funds to finance his children’s education in elite institutions in Switzerland and India.
In the petition signed by Samuel Ihensekhien Jnr and three others, they also accused Ahmed of employing his son in Oando PLC, a private entity under NMDPRA’s regulatory oversight, constituting a clear conflict of interest.
Furthermore, the lawyers alleged that Ahmed has fled the country to evade arrest and is hiding on a private island in the United States.
They demanded that the National Assembly commence an immediate investigation, recommend Ahmed’s immediate sack and suspension, and collaborate with international security agencies like Interpol to ensure his extradition back to Nigeria.
The petitioners also called for the freezing of Ahmed’s local and offshore assets and sweeping reforms in the appointment and oversight of regulatory agency heads in the oil and gas sector.
The lawyers described Ahmed’s actions as a clear abuse of office, a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust, and a severe breach of the fiduciary duty required of all public servants.
“We urge the Senate to commence an immediate and public hearing investigative hearing into these allegations, summoning Mr. Farouk Ahmed and relevant stakeholders.
“Recommend his immediate sack and suspension from office to prevent interference with ongoing investigations. Refer this matter to the EFCC, ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau for coordinated criminal investigation and prosecution.
“In the event he has absconded from Nigeria immediately Call for collaboration with international security agencies like the Interpol to ensure his extradition back to Nigeria and the freezing of his local and offshore assets.
“Institute sweeping reforms in the appointment, conduct, and oversight of regulatory agency heads in the oil and gas sector.
“This is a defining moment for the National Assembly to rise in defense of public interest, uphold its constitutional oversight duty, and send a strong message that corruption, abuse of power, and impunity have no place in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The petition is backed by civil society organisations, including the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, the Concerned Young Professionals Network, and the Coalition for Public Accountability (COPA), who have held protests calling for Ahmed’s suspension and prosecution.
The lawyers trust in the National Assembly’s wisdom, patriotism, and commitment to national accountability to take immediate action against Ahmed.
Senator Kawu Ismaila, Chairman Senate Committee on oil and gas who received the petition on behalf of the Senate promised to liaise with other members of the committee and investigate the agency.
