Protesters from the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms on Monday occupied the offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in Abuja, demanding the immediate resignation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The protesters alleged misappropriation of over $5 million in the NMDPRA under Ahmed's leadership. They also raised serious concerns about conflict of interest, claiming that Ahmed's son, Faisal, works for Oando PLC, a company directly under the regulatory scope of NMDPRA.
Allegations of Corruption and Nepotism
According to the protesters, Ahmed has turned his office into a "personal estate," using his position to enrich himself and his family while ordinary Nigerians struggle to survive in the current economic climate.
Dan Okwa, Convener of the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, who led the protesters, insisted that Ahmed must be held accountable for his actions. The group presented a comprehensive list of demands aimed at ensuring transparency and justice.
Five-Point Demand for Justice
The protesters outlined five specific demands:
1. Immediate Suspension: "The allegations against him are grave, well-documented, and supported by credible evidence. Keeping him in office while investigations are pending is a threat to the integrity of the probe," Okwa stated.
2. Coordinated Investigations: The group called for joint investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ICPC, and CCB to scrutinize Ahmed's asset declarations, foreign exchange records for tuition payments, and regulatory decisions issued under his tenure.
3. Subpoena of Financial Records: "Let every tuition invoice, accommodation receipt, and travel itinerary be reviewed. Let the banks produce the records. Let the truth emerge — was this funded by public money, and if so, through which channels? Nigerians deserve to know!" Okwa demanded.
4. Prosecution and Asset Recovery: The protesters insisted that if allegations are proven, Ahmed should face prosecution under multiple laws including the Criminal Code, ICPC Act, Money Laundering Prohibition Act, and Code of Conduct Bureau Act.
5. NMDPRA Reforms: "This scandal reveals a deeper rot in the system. The agency must undergo a complete operational audit. Regulatory decisions must be digitally tracked, procurement procedures must be published online, and appointments must undergo rigorous vetting," the group emphasized.
The protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations until justice is served and comprehensive reforms are implemented within the NMDPRA to prevent similar scandals in the future.
This development comes amid growing concerns about transparency and accountability in Nigeria's oil sector, which remains the backbone of the nation's economy.
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