Over 500 lawyers and members of the Concerned Young Professionals Network on Thursday gathered outside the United States and the Swiss Embassies in Abuja to demand the international community intervention in the alleged corruption scandal involving Engr. Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The protesters, led by Barr. Aquila Kendo, National Coordinator of the Concerned Young Professionals Network, submitted a letter to both the US and the Swiss Ambassador, calling for diplomatic measures to hold Ahmed accountable for alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.
In the petition signed by its national coordinator Barrister Aquila Kendo, the group claims that Ahmed has amassed significant resources for personal and family use, exacerbating Nigeria’s systemic corruption crisis.
The coalition highlighted the devastating impact of corruption on the nation, noting that it has left children unable to attend school, women without access to basic healthcare, and retirees denied their benefits.
“Corruption has ravaged the nucleus and fabrics of this great nation,” the petition stated, emphasizing the urgent need for citizen participation and international collaboration to combat the issue.
The protesters are urging the U.S. Embassy to invoke diplomatic tools, including potential visa bans for Ahmed and his family, to pressure Nigerian authorities to investigate and prosecute the NMDPRA chief.
They argue that such measures would demonstrate the United States’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and serve as a deterrent to other public officials.
“We are counting on the United States, as a great partner of our beloved nation, to support our war against corruption,” said Barr. Kendo during the protest.
“Engr. Ahmed Farouk must be held accountable for his actions, and we believe international intervention is critical to achieving justice.”
The petition, initially submitted to the anti-graft agencies, has now been escalated to the international community as the coalition seeks broader support to address what they describe as a “greedy show of lawlessness” by a public official.
As the demonstration continues, the protesters remain steadfast, calling for swift action to address the alleged corruption within the NMDPRA and restore accountability in Nigeria’s public sector.
