Police arraign Indian citizen and 13 others for allegedly diverting N4bn worth of diesel belonging to Dangote Industries Limited. Trial set for July 2025

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]n Indian national, Tukur Shamsudden, and 12 other individuals were on Tuesday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly conspiring to unlawfully divert Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, worth over ₦4 billion, the property of Dangote Industries Limited.

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The Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, brought the defendants before Justice Deinde Dipeolu, charging them with 16 counts bordering on conspiracy, diversion of petroleum products, and receipt of proceeds from unlawful activities.

The accused include employees of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, as well as staff of logistics and energy firms contracted to transport diesel from Dangote depots to its Ibese and Obajana plants.

Named among the defendants are Ikechukwu Obi, Chigozie Osukwu, Ukaegbu Chukwuma, Umeh Ugochukwu, Emmanuella Akamadu, Zango Umar, Emmanuel Oku, Shaibu Michael, Lucky Otoide, Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu, Ephraim Kanakapudi, and Omojowo Emmanuel.

All 13 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Some had previously been granted bail under earlier proceedings.

“The offences contravened provisions of the Money Laundering Act and the Criminal Code,” prosecuting counsel M. Y. Bello told the court

Prosecuting counsel, Mr M. Y. Bello, stated that between January 2022 and December 2023, the defendants fraudulently diverted over 3.9 million litres of diesel.

Shamsudden allegedly diverted 1.53 million litres while acting on behalf of Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Ltd, and Prestige Ltd firms contracted by Dangote.

Omojowo, as Managing Director of Opetrus Global Ltd, was accused of diverting 2.45 million litres of AGO intended for Dangote’s tank farm operations.

According to Bello, these actions contravened Sections 21(a) and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under the same Act and the Criminal Code.