Police Arraign Indian National, 12 Others For Fraudulently Diverting Dangote Diesel
An Indian national, Tukur Shamsudden, and 12 others were on Tuesday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged diversion of diesel worth over N4 billion belonging to Dangote Industries Limited.
The Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, brought the suspects before Justice Deinde Dipeolu, who presided over the case.
They were slammed with a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraudulent diversion of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and receiving proceeds of crime.
The accused persons include staff of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Transport, as well as employees of third-party logistics and energy firms contracted by Dangote, including Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, and Opetrus Global Ltd.
Prosecution counsel, Mr M. Y. Bello, told the court that the offences were committed between January 2022 and December 2023.
He alleged that Shamsudden, who represented Regal Gate, Alkham, and Prestige, diverted over 1.5 million litres of diesel valued at N1.53 billion.
Omojowo Emmanuel, Managing Director of Opetrus Global Ltd, allegedly diverted 2.45 million litres of AGO valued at N2.45 billion.
Other 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.
The prosecution stated that the crimes violated the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Criminal Code Act.
All defendants pleaded not guilty.
The court was informed that some of the suspects had earlier been granted bail, and that the charge had been amended following the recent arrest of Shamsudden and two others.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter till July 22 and 23, 2025, for trial.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
