By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The petition filed by Mr Aliko Dangote to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the former chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, has been withdrawn.

The businessman had accused Mr Ahmed of using his office to enrich himself and living above his means.

According Mr Dangote, the former NMDPRA chief spent about $7 million belonging to Nigerians for the primary education of his four children in Switzerland.

In the heat of this, Mr Ahmed resigned from the position, with the ICPC promising to further look into the matter.

It was gathered that the owner of the Lagos-based Dangote Petroleum Refinery has withdrawn his petition against Mr Ahmed from the ICPC because a similar complaint is already being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The ICPC, in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr John Okor Odey, on Wednesday said, “The ICPC is in receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2025, titled ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed’, submitted to the commission by Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, legal counsel to Aliko Dangote.

“The letter states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated December 16, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety, and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.

“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that, in line with the provisions of Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.

“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the former Attorney General (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and two others, bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties.

The sureties, according to the judge, must have landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa.

The documents of the properties are to be verified by the deputy chief registrar of the court while the sureties are also to depose to affidavit of means.

Mr Malami was also ordered to deposit his travelling documents with the court and must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.

The former AGF and his sureties were also ordered to deposit their two recent passport photograph with the court.

Meanwhile, Mr Malami has been ordered to be remanded in Kuje prison pending his perfection of the bail conditions.

Justice Nwite subsequently fixed February 17 for commencement of trial of the corruption charges.

The same bail were extended to Mr Malami’s son, Mr Abdulaziz Malami, and a listed employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Mrs Asabe Bashir, who is also believed to be Mr Malami’s wife.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 16-count alleged money laundering charge against Malami, his son and his wife.

In one of the counts, the anti-graft agency alleged that Mr Malami and his son procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of the sum of N1,014,848,500.00 in a Sterling Bank Plc account, when they reasonably ought to have known that the sum constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

It also said they conspired to disguise the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N1,049,173,926.13 paid through the Union Bank Plc account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, between November 2022 and September 2024, contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Sections 18(2)(a) and 18(3) of the same Act.

Another count alleged that between November 2022 and October 2025, the duo indirectly took control of the aggregate sum of N1,362,887,872.96 paid through the Union Bank Plc savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, when they reasonably ought to have known that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced special operational enforcement code named Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance in the Nigerian maritime domain.

The directive was issued through a Marine Notice, pursuant to the agency’s statutory mandate under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, and other applicable regulations.

Under this operation, all Ship/Vessel Owners, Operators, Managers, International and National Oil Companies, Masters and Officers of Merchant Ships, Shipping Companies, Shipping Agents, Charterers, Offshore Installations and Platforms Operators, Vessel Operators at the Free Trade Zones (FTZ), and Maritime Stakeholders operating or intending to operate within Nigerian waters are required to ensure full compliance with statutory requirements contained in existing maritime laws and regulations.

These include proper vessel registration, valid certifications, updated ownership documentation, adherence to Cabotage provisions relating to vessel ownership, registration, manning, and build.

The notice also emphasised the importance of timely payment and remittance of all statutory levies and fees as prescribed by law.

As part of the enforcement process, NIMASA will conduct random and targeted vessel inspections, verify documentation against its databases, and carry out physical and documentary compliance assessments at ports, terminals, and offshore locations. Operators will also be required to present proof of payment of all applicable levies and fees upon request.

To allow stakeholders the opportunity to regularize their operations, NIMASA has granted a thirty (30) day window from January 5, 2026 for a self-audit and voluntary compliance.

The agency warned that failure to comply after the expiration of the grace period will attract enforcement actions, including vessel detention, monetary penalties, withdrawal of waivers or operational licences, and denial of port clearance until full compliance is achieved.

The Director General of NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola has assured all stakeholders of the Agency’s commitment to promoting indigenous shipping development, enhancing maritime safety and security, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring strict compliance with Nigeria’s maritime laws.

“We therefore urge all stakeholders to do their part so that together, we can build on the gains of previous regulatory achievements, which is enhanced safety, a secure maritime environment and sustainable utilisation of our marine resources,” the DG added.