Members of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy and Anti-Corruption have described as “frivolous, baseless and unfounded corruption allegations” levelled against the chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, by the president of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the lawyers accused Dangote of engaging in a media trial to portray Ahmed as guilty of corruption without recourse to due process.
They warned that such actions undermine democracy, the rule of law and investors’ confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The press conference was jointly addressed by Barr Emeka Okafor, national coordinator, and Barr Mohammed Bello, secretary, on behalf of the 40 lawyers under the Lawyers in Defence of Democracy and Anti-Corruption.
Okafor described the allegations, including claims that Ahmed received $5 million and sponsored his children’s education in foreign institutions in Switzerland, as “reckless fabrications unsupported by facts or evidence.”
He said monopoly is not the best form of business, insisting that the efforts of the NMDPRA boss are in the national interest and not a witch-hunt or targeted at any businessman in the petroleum industry.
“We find these allegations not only frivolous and unfounded but also dangerous to the stability and development of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector,” Okafor said.
“This is a clear attempt at a media conviction of a public officer who has not been investigated, charged or found guilty by any competent authority,” he added.
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