An Indian citizen, Tukur Shamsudden, and 12 individuals were arraigned on Tuesday by operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly conspiring to unlawfully divert Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, valued at over ₦4 billion, property of Dangote Industries Limited.
The defendants were brought before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos. Those arraigned include 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.
The charges against them—16 counts in total—relate to conspiracy, unlawful diversion of AGO, and receiving proceeds from fraudulently diverted products.
Prosecuting counsel, Mr. M. Y. Bello, alleged that the defendants, a mix of Dangote Industries Limited staff and officials of transport companies tasked with moving diesel from Dangote depots to its Ibese and Obajana plants, engaged in fraudulent activity. Listed among the accused Dangote Petroleum Industries Limited employees are Akamadu Emmanuella, Emmanuel Oku, Zango Umar, Lucky Otoide, and Ephraim Kanakapudi.
Others were linked to transport companies, including Arigen Integrated Limited, Obat Limited, Amaiden Energy Limited, Regal Gate Limited, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, and Opetrus Global Limited.
Bello stated that between January 2022 and December 2023, Shamsudden, while representing Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Limited, and Prestige Limited—companies contracted by Dangote Industries Limited—diverted 1,530,893 liters of AGO worth ₦1.53 billion.
Omojowo, acting as Managing Director of Opetrus Global Ltd, was accused of diverting 2,455,229 liters of AGO valued at ₦2.45 billion on or before December 20, 2023.
According to the prosecution, these offences contravene Sections 21(a) and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act, as well as Sections 383(2)(a) and 10 of the Criminal Code Act, punishable under Sections 390 and 516.
All 13 defendants pleaded not guilty. The court was informed that some of them had previously been granted bail under varying conditions following their initial arraignment.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution introduced an amended charge, necessitating the re-arraignment of all defendants.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the trial to July 22 and 23, 2025, for the commencement of proceedings.
