500 Public Interest Lawyers Storm Aso Rock, National Assembly, Demand Sack and Prosecution of NMDPRA CEO Ahmed Farouk
In a dramatic move on Monday, a coalition of 500 public interest lawyers besieged both the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, demanding the immediate dismissal and prosecution of Ahmed Farouk, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The lawyers, carrying banners and a formal petition, accused Farouk of alleged gross misconduct and dereliction of duty, which they claimed have contributed to the worsening crisis in the petroleum sector.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Barrister Tochukwu Eze said the action was necessitated by “persistent irregularities, opaque transactions, and regulatory failures under Farouk’s watch, all of which have undermined public trust and economic stability.”
“We have submitted a detailed petition to the President, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. We are calling for Farouk’s immediate suspension, investigation, and prosecution where necessary,” Eze stated.
Security was beefed up around the entrances to the National Assembly and Aso Rock as the lawyers chanted solidarity songs and insisted on delivering their demands in person.
There was no immediate response from NMDPRA or the Presidency as of the time of filing this report.
