The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote regarding his petition against the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

Dangote had accused Farouk of corruption and misappropriation of funds, including spending millions of dollars on his four children’s education in expensive and exclusive schools in Switzerland.

Farouk has since resigned from his position.

However, a source in the ICPC, who spoke to The Nation, disclosed that the commission has raised a panel of crack investigators on Friday to handle the probe.

Dangote is expected to appear or send his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), tomorrow when ICPC’s investigation of the petition formally commences.

The source said, “All is set for the investigation.

“ICPC has set up a panel of crack investigators on Dangote’s petition. The Chairman of the commission, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), asked the trusted team to stay on a case and focus on Dangote’s petition. This underscores the importance attached to this case.

“We have also invited Dangote or his lawyer to come on Monday to adopt the petition. “Either of them is to present relevant documents or evidence to support the petition.

“He who alleges must prove or provide lead on the allegations which our investigators must act on.

“We have acknowledged the receipt of the petition in line with our guidelines or mandate to do so within 48 hours.”

Continuing, the source said, ”After formal adoption of the petition, we will isolate issues and ask Ahmed to respond to the allegations.

“We have been inundated with enquiries but I can assure you that ICPC will be fair to all the parties.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The resignation of Ahmed does not affect this probe which is in the public interest.”

“Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (ICPC Act 2000) makes it an offence for any public officer to use his/her position to confer an unfair or corrupt advantage on himself, his relatives, associates, or other public officers.Anyone found guilty of any such offence is liable to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine.

“The enabling law also stipulates harsh punishment for individuals deemed to have wasted ICPC’s time and resources by making malicious or frivolous petitions against others.”

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reportedly taken the matter involving the suspension of Kogi Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from the Senate to the Supreme Court.

It was understands Akpabio is unsatisfied with the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which ruled that Akpabio’s case submission was fundamentally defective and incompetent, citing failure to comply with mandatory provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules.

Recall the appellate court had faulted the brief for multiple procedural violations, including unauthorized font size and line spacing, exceeding the 35-page limit, and failure to seek leave to regularise the defects.

According to a report by Vanguard, Akpabio’s lawyers have approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the judgment of the Appeal Court, which struck out the Federal Government’s brief of argument in the appeal.

They believe the apex court would rule in their favour because the Appeal Court had thrown out the case based on technicalities and not the substance of the matter.

The Senate President team argued that the Court of Appeal violated his constitutional right to a fair hearing by refusing to grant leave to correct the defective brief or permit him to exceed the page limit.

On their part, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team has expressed confidence in the judiciary, saying the Supreme Court appeal is a last-ditch effort to overturn a decision reached in accordance with the law.

Sources within the Senate quoted by Vanguard said the case between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan has become more of a power tussle, with the relationship between the two lawmakers remaining strained despite the return of the Kogi lawmaker to the Senate following her suspension.

“This is no longer just a legal disagreement. It has become a struggle over authority and control,” the source said.

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The Nigeria Police Force has announced the death of a former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Theophilus Adetunji Akeredolu.

It was reports that Akeredolu died on December 9, 2025.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, a Chief Superintendent of Police.

“The Nigeria Police Force announces with deep sorrow the passing of a distinguished senior retired police officer and elder statesman, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Chief Theophillus Adetunji Akeredolu, who passed to glory on 9th December, 2025,” the statement read.

Born on October 25, 1942, the late DIG devoted several decades of his life to the service of the Nigeria Police Force and the country.

Akeredolu was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on September 1, 1969, where he initially served as a civilian lecturer at the Police College, Ikeja.

He later converted to a General Duty Police Officer on August 1, 1973, with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

According to the statement, Akeredolu attended St. John Primary School, Afao, Ikere-Ekiti, as well as Teacher Training Colleges in Epinmi, Akoko, and Ifako, Lagos.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English and a Diploma in Education from the University of Lagos, obtained a Diploma in Law from the University of Ilorin, and also held a Diploma in Journalism, among other professional qualifications.

During his policing career, Akeredolu held several key positions, including Officer-in-Charge of Investigation at the Criminal Investigation Department, Kwara State Command; Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command; and Commandant of the Detective College, Enugu.

He also served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, and later as AIG in charge of ‘B’ Department (Operations) at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police on January 1, 2001, and served as DIG in charge of Operations until his retirement on March 14, 2002.

The late DIG underwent extensive local and international training, including programmes at the Metropolitan Police College, Hendon, London; the Royal Institute of Public Administration, London; the Staff College, Jos; Durham, Great Britain; and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

In recognition of his service, he was honoured with several awards, including the Commander of the Order of the Niger.

Beyond policing, he was a respected traditional and religious leader, serving as the Chief Aremo of Afao, Ikere-Ekiti, and holding notable titles within the African Church community in Abuja and Ekiti State.

Akeredolu is survived by his wife, Mrs Yemi Akeredolu, and his children.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on behalf of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, extended condolences to the family, associates and the people of Ekiti State.

“The Force mourns the loss of a dedicated professional whose legacy of service, leadership, and integrity will remain a source of inspiration to generations of police officers,” the statement added.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

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