A group of 500 public interest lawyers has stormed the Presidential Villa and National Assembly with a petition demanding the immediate sack and prosecution of Ahmed Farouk, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The lawyers cited grave allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and conflict of interest against Farouk, including the alleged diversion of over $5 million of public funds to finance his children’s education in elite institutions in Switzerland and India.

Led by Samuel Ihensekhien, they also accused Farouk of employing his son, Faisal Ahmed, in Oando PLC, a private entity directly under NMDPRA’s regulatory oversight, constituting a clear conflict of interest.

The petitioners further alleged that Farouk has fled the country to evade arrest and is hiding on a private island in the United States, an act they described as “cowardly” and indicative of guilt.

” It is alleged that Mr. Farouk Ahmed diverted over $5 million of public funds to finance the private foreign education of his four children in elite institutions across Switzerland and India,” the petition reads.

“This flagrant misuse of public resources, at a time when millions of Nigerians suffer from deteriorating public education
infrastructure, is both morally reprehensible and criminally indictable.

“Mr. Ahmed’s son, Faisal Ahmed, was reportedly employed by Oando PLC, a private entity directly under the regulatory oversight of NMDPRA. This constitutes a glaring conflict of interest and a violation of ethical standards and the principles of impartial regulation.

“The actions of Mr. Ahmed represent a clear abuse of office, a betrayal of theNigerian people’s trust, and a severe breach of the fiduciary duty required of all public servants. Recent credible reports suggest that Mr. Ahmed has fled the country in an
attempt to evade arrest and is allegedly hiding on a private island in the United States. “

They demanded that the National Assembly commence an immediate investigation, recommend Farouk’s immediate sack and suspension, and collaborate with international security agencies like Interpol to ensure his extradition back to Nigeria.

The lawyers also called for the freezing of Farouk’s local and offshore assets and sweeping reforms in the appointment and oversight of regulatory agency heads in the oil and gas sector.

The petition is backed by civil society organizations, including the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, the Concerned Young Professionals Network, and the Coalition for Public Accountability (COPA), who have held protests calling for Farouk’s suspension and prosecution.

The petitioners emphasised that Farouk’s actions represent a clear abuse of office, a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust, and a severe breach of fiduciary duty, and that his continued occupancy of the position threatens transparency, accountability, and reforms in the petroleum sector.

It was a morning of nostalgia, camaraderie, and legacy as hundreds of alumni of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, converged at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Abuja for the highly anticipated “Walk to Meet” initiative organized by the Abuja Branch of the ABU Alumni Association.

Clad in branded shirts, caps, and radiant smiles, the crowd, both young and senior alumni, took to the streets in a unity walk that was less about fitness and more about rekindling the cherished memories of Nigeria’s premier northern university. The event, which was part of broader efforts to foster intergenerational bonding and strengthen alumni networks, saw men and women from all walks of life reliving the glories of their campus days.

But the undisputed highlight of the gathering was the emotional unveiling of Dr. Danjuma Sulai, a proud member of the 1973 pioneer set of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, who emerged as the “ABUSITE of the Day.”

Dr. Sulai, the current Medical Director and CEO of G&S Specialist Clinic, stood tall—both in history and presence—as the oldest alumnus at the event. His walk, steady and dignified, drew admiration from the younger generation, many of whom couldn’t hide their excitement at meeting a living embodiment of ABU’s storied past.

“Dr. Sulai is not just a doctor; he is a monument to the legacy of ABU,” said the branch chairman during the presentation. “He represents the bridge between where we started and where we are headed. His dedication to medicine and to this institution inspires us all.”

In recognition of his agility, historical significance, and institutional memory, the alumni community fittingly honoured him as “ABUSITE of the Day.” The citation drew standing applause, with many capturing the moment on their phones, eager to etch the image of a living legend into the canvas of memory.

Adding institutional gravitas to the day was the presence of the Worldwide President of the ABU Alumni Association, Dr. Mamman Kontagora, who led the national executives to the event. Dr. Kontagora commended the Abuja branch for sustaining the tradition of togetherness and for celebrating the past while investing in the future.

“This walk is more than a ritual. It is a reminder that wherever we go, we carry the spirit of ABU within us. We are not just alumni; we are a family bonded by history, excellence, and the mission to give back,” Kontagora said in his remarks.

The event culminated in light refreshments, group photographs, and plans for mentoring programs where older alumni like Dr. Sulai would interact more frequently with younger professionals and students.

As the sun rose over Abuja, the legacy of Ahmadu Bello University shone brighter—not just in the steps taken during the walk, but in the memories reignited, the bonds renewed, and the legacy celebrated through one of its oldest torchbearers, Dr. Danjuma Sulai.

*Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice is the spokesperson for the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Alumni Association Abuja Branch.

The coalition of economic accountability under the leadership of Patroitic Nigerian Youth Forum (PNYF) is outraged with the high-handedness of Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPLC).

The Coalition particularly cited the scandalous 5.7 billion naira consultancy contract entered into by the NNPCL with an obscure company as well as the flagrant breach of procurement laws and reckless spendings under Mr. Bashir, insisting that a probe and a decisive line of action must be taken to pacify Nigerians.

Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, took office as the CEO of NNPCL following the ouster of the Mele Kyari led administration in an attempt to reposition the company for greater productivity and efficiency in line with renewed hope agenda of Mr. President

In a statement jointly signed by the duo of Comrade Olamide Odumosu and Comrade Haruna Gambari, Convener and Co-Convener of the Coalition respectively, the right groups declared that enough is enough as they vowed to ensure justice and the actualisation of the renewed hope agenda by holding all government appointees accountable.

The coalition of 52 civil society organizations maintained that, “we are saddened that NNPCL continues to be in practice and optics, a beehive of opaque transactions and corrupt practices. It was our hope that under Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, who was strictly appointed under the banner, vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, there will be transformation in the NNPCL.

“Sadly, with the allegations of contract scam in billions of Naira, high-handedness and brazen squander of Nigeria’s scarce resources just few months into office, his tenure is bound to be one of filth, pillage and odium.

“Our clandestine investigations have revealed that, HASKE, a little known firm, which capacity to handle serious jobs is yet to be ascertained, was awarded a whooping N5.7 billion consultancy contract without advertisement, tender, competitive bidding or any of the processes laid down in the procurement act.

“Another damning allegation which we have confirmed is the approval of an expensive retreat in Kigali, Rwanda against the directive of Mr. President to cut down needless oversea trips, conferences and retreats. That they travelled in private jets at a time Nigeria is battling huge public debts and the citizens living in abject poverty and lack of access to many basic amenities is grossly unacceptable and stands condemned.

“It is also on record that since assumption of office on the 2nd of April 2025, Mr. Bayo Bashir has not done anything to demonstrate that NNPCL under him will be productive. In fact, he has no road map, idea or design to prove that the National Oil Company is on the trajectory to join international peers.

“Some of us, including a broad spectrum of Nigerians have always suspected that Mr. Ojulari has nothing offer, except capitalising on ethnic protection to stay on the job. Despite this, we were willing to allow him at least 100 days in office to tell or show Nigerians what he has to offer. But in less than 100 days, he has proven us right as he is already involved scandals of monumental proportion.

“In the name of the renewed hope agenda, we earnestly call on Mr. President to overhaul NNPCL with immediate effect and appoint credible Nigerians with the capacity to service patriotically”

The text concluded with a one week ultimatum, within which a just and appropriate action should be taken, failure of which the coalition insist that they’ll “mobilise to occupy NNPCL and ensure that Nigerians are not short-changed by a privileged few regardless of their tribal, religious and political affiliation”.