An Indian national, Tukur Shamsudden, and 12 Nigerians were on Tuesday arraigned before a Lagos court for allegedly diverting Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) valued at over N4 billion from Dangote Industries Limited.
The defendants, who appeared before the Police Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, Lagos, face 16 counts including conspiracy, unlawful diversion of diesel, and receiving proceeds of fraudulently diverted products.
Among those charged 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.
Details of the Alleged Theft
According to prosecuting counsel M.Y. Bello, the defendants include staff members of Dangote Industries Limited and officials from transport companies contracted to move diesel from Dangote depots to its Ibese and Obajana plants.
The prosecutor identified Akamadu Emmanuella, Emmanuel Oku, Zango Umar, Lucky Otoide, and Ephraim Kanakapudi as Dangote Petroleum Industries Limited staff allegedly involved in the scheme. The remaining defendants were reportedly employed by various contracted companies including Arigen Integrated Limited, Obat Limited, Amaiden Energy Limited, Regal Gate Limited, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, and Opetrus Global Limited.
The court heard that the offenses were committed between January 2022 and December 2023.
Specific Allegations
Bello told the court that Tukur Shamsudden, while representing Regal Gate Ltd., Alkham Limited, and Prestige Limited—companies contracted by Dangote Industries Limited—allegedly diverted 1,530,893 litres of AGO valued at N1,530,893,000.
Additionally, Omojowo, acting as the managing director and representative of Opetrus Global Ltd, a company contracted to transload AGO from depots to the Dangote tank farm, allegedly diverted 2,455,229 litres of AGO valued at N2,455,229,000 on or before December 20, 2023.
At Tuesday's hearing, the prosecutor informed the court of an amended charge against the defendants, filed following the arrest of the Indian national and two others—Ephraim and Omojowo. All defendants were subsequently re-arraigned on the amended charge.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the trial to July 22 and 23, 2025, for commencement.
BenriNews attempted to reach Dangote Refinery's spokesperson, Anthony Chiejiena, for comment but was unsuccessful.
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