A coalition of lawyers and civil rights groups has commenced the second week of protests demanding the investigation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The protests, which began last week, are aimed at holding Ahmed accountable for alleged corruption, abuse of power, and regulatory compromise.
According to a letter addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation, the allegations against Ahmed include the diversion of over $5 million in public funds to finance the luxurious foreign education of his children.
The letter also alleges abuse of office and conflict of interest, particularly in the recruitment of his son, Faisal, into Oando PLC, a company directly under the regulatory jurisdiction of the NMDPRA.
In a statement signed by Dan Okwa, the group is also concerned about the NMDPRA’s issuance of permits for the importation of diesel with high sulphur content, which is harmful to the environment and public health.
They are demanding that the Attorney General initiate a thorough investigation into the allegations against Ahmed and set up a special investigative panel to examine all financial records linked to Ahmed and his family.
The protesters are calling for the investigation to focus on the source of funds used to pay the alleged $5 million tuition fees for Ahmed’s children, as well as any potential conflict of interest or undue influence in his official capacity.
They believe that these actions are necessary to restore public trust in the NMDPRA and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
Okwa added: “We won’t stop the protest until Engr. Farouk Ahmed is brought to justice. The allegations against him are serious, and we demand a thorough investigation.
“We will not back down until the truth is revealed, and he is held accountable for his actions. The Nigerian people deserve better than to be looted by public officials.
“We will not rest until Engr. Ahmed’s source of wealth is thoroughly investigated, and he is made to refund any stolen funds. Engr. Ahmed’s actions are a clear example of the rot in our system.
“We demand that the Attorney General takes immediate action to investigate these allegations and prosecute him if found guilty. Anything less would be a betrayal of the public trust.”
“We are not intimidated by the powers that Engr. Ahmed may wield. We will continue to protest until justice is served, and he is brought to book for his alleged crimes. The rule of law must prevail, and we will ensure that it does.”