Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has launched a blistering attack on Ahmed Farouk, the embattled CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Dangote is demanding Farouk’s immediate arrest and prosecution over what he calls “monumental corruption” and “abuse of office.”

According to a petition filed by Dangote’s high-powered legal team, Farouk is accused of living a life of luxury that is wildly out of sync with his public servant salary. The most jaw-dropping claim? Farouk allegedly splurged over $7 million,yes, you read that right,on his children’s education in Switzerland, paying upfront for six years. Dangote’s camp insists there’s no way Farouk could afford this on a government paycheck, raising serious questions about where the money really came from.

The petition, which has landed on the desk of ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, doesn’t hold back. It details the names of Farouk’s children, the elite Swiss schools they attend, and the eye-watering sums paid for each. Dangote’s lawyers are urging the anti-corruption agency to dig deep and verify every detail.

But that’s not all. Dangote alleges that Farouk has been siphoning public funds for personal gain, fueling public anger and sparking protests from civil society groups. The billionaire points out that Farouk has spent his entire career in the public sector, making his extravagant spending spree even more suspicious.

Dangote is invoking the full force of the law, citing Section 19 of the ICPC Act, which could see Farouk facing a five-year prison sentence with no option of a fine if convicted. The message is clear: Dangote wants the authorities to make an example out of Farouk and send a strong signal that no one is above the law.

Confident that the ICPC will act, Dangote is calling for a swift and decisive investigation. He claims the scandal is already in the public eye and warns that any delay could damage the reputation of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Dangote is also promising to provide even more evidence to back up his explosive allegations.

At a press conference in Lagos, Dangote didn’t mince words, slamming what he described as “regulatory failures” and “rampant corruption” in the oil sector. He warned that unless the rot is addressed, Nigeria’s oil and gas industry could lose the trust of both the public and investors.

This isn’t the first time Farouk has been in the hot seat. Just last year, protesters stormed key government offices in Abuja, demanding his resignation and accusing him of treating his office like a personal fiefdom. The NMDPRA, for its part, has dismissed all allegations as a coordinated smear campaign, insisting its leadership is clean.

As the scandal continues to unfold, all eyes are on the ICPC. Will they take down one of the country’s top oil regulators? Or is this just another high-profile drama with no real consequences? One thing is certain: Nigeria’s oil sector has never seen anything quite like this.