A group under the banner of the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms on Monday staged protests at the offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in Abuja, calling for the immediate resignation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The protesters accused the NMDPRA boss of allegedly mismanaging over $5 million while in office. They also raised concerns over what they described as a conflict of interest involving Ahmed’s son, Faisal, who is reportedly employed by Oando PLC — a company said to operate under the regulatory scope of the NMDPRA.
According to the protesters, the agency under Ahmed’s leadership has been turned into “a personal estate” used to benefit himself and his family, while ordinary Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardship.
Dan Okwa, Convener of the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, who led the demonstration, said Ahmed must be held accountable and removed to allow for a credible investigation into the weighty allegations.
“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. He has the power to tamper with records, intimidate staff, and obstruct justice. Suspension is the only ethical response,” Okwa said.
The protesters insisted that Ahmed’s immediate suspension was necessary to ensure a proper and unhindered probe by relevant law enforcement bodies. They called for a joint investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ICPC, and the CCB, stressing that the agencies must work together and not independently.
“Second, we demand coordinated investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau. These agencies must work together, not in isolation.
“They must scrutinize every asset declaration submitted by Engr. Ahmed, review the foreign exchange records used for the tuition payments, and examine the regulatory decisions issued under his tenure. This must include a forensic audit of all licenses granted to companies with known ties to his family,” Okwa declared.
The group further demanded that financial and educational records of Ahmed’s children studying abroad be subpoenaed to verify if public funds were diverted for their upkeep.
“Third, we demand the subpoena of financial and educational records related to his children’s schooling abroad. Let the schools be contacted. 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 insisted.
Should the allegations be proven, the protesters said Ahmed must face prosecution and all illegally acquired assets recovered by the government.
“Fourth, we demand prosecution and full asset recovery if these allegations are proven. Every property, account, or investment obtained with misappropriated funds must be confiscated. The law is clear. If found guilty, he should be removed from public service and prosecuted under the Criminal Code, the ICPC Act, the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, and the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. We are not looking for scapegoats — we are looking for justice. No more closed-door settlements. No more soft landings,” he added.
They also demanded sweeping reforms within the NMDPRA, saying the allegations exposed systemic weaknesses within the regulatory body.
“Finally, we demand urgent and far-reaching reforms within the NMDPRA. 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,” Okwa emphasized.
The protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands are fully met and reforms are carried out to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
