By SUNTV Global Channel | December 18, 2025
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has firmly stated that the resignation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, must not bring an end to ongoing corruption allegations against him.
Reacting to the development, NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that allowing senior public officials to quietly exit office without accountability weakens public institutions and entrenches a dangerous culture of impunity in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News TV, Osigwe stressed that allegations involving forgery and false asset declarations are too serious to be brushed aside simply because a public officer has resigned.
According to him, resignation does not amount to exoneration and should never be treated as closure when grave allegations have been raised against a public official.
“Allegations of this nature are too weighty to be used merely as tools for political expediency or administrative convenience. Once such claims are made, there is a public duty to investigate them to their logical conclusion—either to clear the individual’s name or to establish guilt based on credible evidence,” Osigwe said.
The NBA President cautioned against a recurring pattern where allegations surface, a resignation follows, and public interest fades without any transparent or conclusive investigation. He noted that this trend creates the impression that accusations are merely weaponised to remove individuals from office, rather than to uncover the truth.
Osigwe also emphasised that accountability must be driven by a genuine commitment to the rule of law, not by political manoeuvring or regulatory power struggles. Politicising serious allegations, he warned, undermines public confidence in governance and the justice system.
While declining to take sides in the broader controversy involving the NMDPRA and the Dangote Group, Osigwe pointed out that even perceptions of corruption can be damaging, making it essential for allegations to be thoroughly examined.
“Failure to investigate harms not only the individuals involved but also the credibility of public institutions. Building strong institutions requires consistency, transparency, and follow-through in handling allegations against public officers,” he said.
The NBA President further warned that Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts would remain superficial unless allegations are backed by credible investigations and, where necessary, prosecution.
According to him, allowing allegations to die quietly after resignations sends a dangerous signal that stepping down from office can serve as a shield against scrutiny—thereby eroding deterrence and weakening the moral authority of institutions responsible for enforcing standards in public life.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that the NBA’s position adds to growing calls for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public sector, reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law, regardless of status or office held.
