Lawyers, CSOs Protest Alleged Abuse Of Office, Misuse Of Public Funds

A group of lawyers and civil society organisations (CSOs) embarked on a civil protest in Abuja, demanding the immediate resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) chief executive officer.

The Concerned Lawyers and Civil Society in Defence of Public Trust group, which gathered at the NMDPRA headquarters, claimed that Ahmed’s actions were a clear case of corruption and abuse of power.

The protesters demanded Ahmed’s immediate resignation, a full-scale investigation into the NMDPRA’s financial records, and the recovery of any public funds used to educate his children.

They also called for Ahmed’s prosecution under the Public Procurement Act and the Code of Conduct Bureau guidelines.

The protesters further demanded that any recovered funds be channelled to rehabilitate schools in Nigeria’s most disadvantaged oil-producing communities.

They warned that if their demands are ignored, they will return stronger, louder, and more resolute, occupying every relevant space to demand justice and accountability.

“This protest is about justice. It is about drawing the line in the sand and saying, ‘NO MORE! “NO MORE abuse of public trust,”  Advani said.

“NO MORE luxury for the few while the many wallow in deprivation. NO MORE wasting of public funds while Nigerian university students are stuck at home due to strikes, poor infrastructure, and lack of funding.

“To the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we ask you: Will you watch this continue under your administration? Or will you act, and show that your government is serious about transparency and equity?

“Today’s protest is not the end. If these demands are ignored, we will return stronger, louder, and more resolute. Nigerian youths, mothers, and civil society will occupy every relevant space to say: enough is enough.

“We are done clapping for thieves. We are done bowing to men who see Nigeria as their inheritance. Let it be known: Engr. Farouk Ahmed must step down NOW. Not tomorrow. Not next week.”