Indian National, 12 Others Arraigned Over Alleged ₦4 Billion Diesel Diversion Involving Dangote Industries
An Indian national, Tukur Shamsudden, along with 12 others, appeared before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday over their alleged involvement in the diversion of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) valued at over ₦4 billion, property of Dangote Industries Limited.
The case was brought before Justice Deinde Dipeolu by operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos. The defendants face a 16-count charge relating to conspiracy, unlawful diversion of petroleum products, and possession of proceeds obtained through fraudulent means.
In addition to Shamsudden, the other individuals 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.
According to the prosecution, led by counsel M. Y. Bello, the accused persons include employees of Dangote Industries Limited and personnel from various logistics companies contracted to transport diesel to the company’s Ibese and Obajana plants. Some of the companies mentioned in court include Arigen Integrated Limited, Obat Limited, Amaiden Energy Limited, Regal Gate Limited, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, and Opetrus Global Limited.
The offences allegedly occurred between January 2022 and December 2023.
Bello further stated that Shamsudden, acting on behalf of Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Ltd, and Prestige Ltd, diverted approximately 1.53 million litres of diesel, with an estimated value of ₦1.53 billion. Similarly, Omojowo, who represented Opetrus Global Ltd—another contractor tasked with transporting diesel to Dangote facilities—was accused of diverting about 2.45 million litres, valued at ₦2.45 billion, prior to December 20, 2023.
The charges, according to the prosecutor, violate various provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including Sections 21(a), 18(2)(d), and are punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act. Additional charges also fall under Sections 383(2)(a), 390, 516, and 10 of the Criminal Code Act.
All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when read in court.
The prosecution also informed the court that an amended charge had been filed, reflecting the recent arrests of Shamsudden, Kanakapudi, and Omojowo, prompting the re-arraignment of all the defendants on the revised charges.
Justice Dipeolu has adjourned the case to July 22 and 23, 2025, for trial to commence.
