Tinubu Will Not Direct EFCC, ICPC Over Farouk Ahmed Allegations — Presidency
The Presidency has reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not step into the affairs of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies over the corruption allegations surrounding Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Ahmed resigned from his position after Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, accused him of corruption, triggering public outcry and demands for accountability.
Reacting to the situation on Thursday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission are independent bodies empowered by law to act without interference from the Presidency.
His response came after criticism emerged on social media over the absence of arrests or publicly announced investigations following Ahmed’s resignation. An X user, @OurFavOnlineDoc, questioned why stepping down appeared to be the only consequence.
“No prosecution. No arrest. No investigation. No proper accountability.
Just allegation of stealing public funds, followed by a quiet resignation, and everybody can move on.
This is not how to build a sane country with trust, integrity, and respect before the world. What a shame,” the user wrote.
Onanuga dismissed the criticism, insisting that the President cannot dictate how the anti-graft agencies operate.
“This is how we get things wrong through uninformed criticism. ICPC and EFCC are autonomous institutions. The ball is now in their courts to carry out their mandates. Mr. President will not tell them what to do,” he said.
