Lawyers under the aegis of Concerned Lawyers Network in Africa have insisted on the probe of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, on the alleged diversion of $5 million belonging to the outfit.

The lawyers who linked up on Friday with another protesting group, the Civil Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade Network, around the head office of the NMDPRA in the central district of Abuja, to press home their demands, urged the relevant authorities to investigate serious allegations of misconduct, corruption, and abuse of office levelled against Ahmed.

They alleged that Ahmed has been involved in questionable expenditures, including a staggering sum of $5 million reportedly spent on his children’s education abroad.

Addressing Journalists during the peaceful procession, Barr. Aquila Kendo, who spoke on behalf of the groups, said their continued advocacy stems from a deep sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to the nation’s welfare and integrity, vowing to sustain the fight until the necessary is done.

He said, We are here today, on our continuous calls to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, relevant anti-corruption agencies and the Nigerian people; demanding attention and investigation into the grave act of alleged misconduct, corruption and abuse of office, perpetrated by Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

“Especially, the allegation of diversion of over five million dollars, reportedly used to sponsor luxurious foreign education of his children in abroad, must not go unnoticed, it must not be swept under the carpet as usual, it must not slide without proper investigation.

“We shall continue to voice our disarray with the situation, as it is our civic responsibility as a people of this country to do so. We shall continue to press this until the right thing is done. We want Mr. President to succeed in his fight against corruption, and in achieving that, all hands must be on deck”.

Speaking further, Barr. Kendo vowed that: “No amount of intimidation or threats can deter us from achieving this. We shall continue to join forces with all other organisations championing this course until a thorough investigation is done and Engr. Ahmed is brought to book.”

Several groups have been occupying the head office of the NMDPRA and other relevant government offices since Monday of this week, demanding Ahmed’s resignation as CEO. They also want him investigated over allegations of corruption, abuse of power, regulatory compromise, and a total betrayal of the Nigerian people.