A civil society organisation, the Coalition for Social Accountability and Fiscal Justice (CSAFJ), has known as on the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, to publicly disclose his full asset portfolio, citing evident discrepancies between his recognized revenue as a civil servant and his alleged property and luxurious acquisitions inside and outdoors Nigeria.
In an announcement issued in Abuja on Saturday and signed by the group’s president, Barr. Nafisat Bako Waziri, the CSAFJ mentioned it was deeply involved about “emerging patterns of opulence” related to Ahmed and members of his instant household.
The group’s intervention follows current nationwide outrage over revelations that Ahmed allegedly spent greater than $5.5 million on his kids’s non-public schooling in elite worldwide faculties. While the outrage across the tuition bills has not been addressed transparently, CSAFJ mentioned its concern prolonged past education.
“New information obtained from public sources and whistleblowers strongly suggests that the NMDPRA boss may be linked to multiple high-value properties in Abuja, Lagos, and Dubai,” the assertion learn.
“We are asking a simple question: How did a career civil servant, who has never operated a known business or held a major private-sector role, come to own mansions in Maitama, waterfront apartments in Ikoyi, and is allegedly linked to a serviced penthouse in Dubai Marina? Let him show us the trail.”
According to the group, the continued silence from the NMDPRA and lack of institutional response from the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) solely deepens public suspicion.
Barr. Waziri famous that Ahmed’s defence to date had leaned on obscure appeals to integrity, slightly than clear, document-backed responses in regards to the funding sources for his way of life.
“In a democracy, public office is a public trust. Nobody is accusing Engr. Farouk Ahmed of guilt without evidence. We are simply saying: justify the wealth. The Code of Conduct Bureau exists to scrutinise such scenarios—when lifestyles balloon far beyond salaries,” she added.
The group additional expressed fear that NMDPRA has issued no clarification on whether or not its personal inner compliance frameworks had flagged or queried the CEO’s expenditures and asset declarations.
“It is embarrassing that in a sector where transparency and regulatory integrity are critical to investor confidence, the head of the key agency is at the centre of such a scandal—and yet carries on without any official inquiry,” the group mentioned.
CSAFJ warned that the case might rapidly erode public confidence within the petroleum regulatory structure if not swiftly addressed. The group additionally questioned whether or not Ahmed’s affect inside the corridors of energy is shielding him from scrutiny.
“This country cannot have two sets of rules—one for the powerful, and another for the poor. If Betta Edu was suspended for administrative infractions, and Babachir Lawal was removed over graft allegations, why is Farouk Ahmed still in office amid such damning revelations?” the group requested.
They known as on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to show consistency in his anti-corruption stance by mandating the related companies to audit Ahmed’s asset declarations, each earlier than and after his appointment as CEO of NMDPRA.
“We urge Mr. President to act decisively. If Ahmed is innocent, an independent probe will clear his name. But continued silence sends the wrong signal to Nigerians and to the global community watching our governance standards,” CSAFJ mentioned.
