Dangote Workers, Indian National Docked Over N4bn AGO Diversion
An Indian national, Tukur Shamsudden, and 12 others have been arraigned by operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly diverting Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, worth over N4 billion belonging to Dangote Industries Limited.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful diversion of petroleum products, and receiving proceeds of criminal activity.
Those charged alongside Shamsudden include: Ikechukwu Kingsley Obi, Chigozie Chrisogonus Osukwu, Ukaegbu Rex Chukwuma, Umeh JohnpaulUgochukwu, Akamadu Emmanuella (female), Zango Mohammed Umar, Emmanuel Oku, Shaibu Michael, Lucky Otoide, Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu, Ephraim Kanakapudi, and Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel.
According to the prosecution, the accused are employees of Dangote Industries Limited and staff of various transport companies contracted to haul AGO from Dangote depots to the company’s Ibese and Obajana plants.
These companies include Arigen Integrated Limited, Obat Limited, Amaiden Energy Limited, Regal Gate Limited, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, and Opetrus Global Limited.
Prosecuting counsel, Barrister M. Y. Bello, told the court that the alleged offences took place between January 2022 and December 2023.
He alleged that Shamsudden, acting on behalf of Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Ltd, and Prestige Ltd—all contractors to Dangote Industries—fraudulently diverted approximately 1,530,893 liters of diesel valued at N1.53 billion.
Similarly, Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel, who acted as Managing Director of Opetrus Global Ltd, was accused of fraudulently diverting 2,455,229 liters of AGO, worth N2.45 billion.
The prosecutor said these actions contravened Sections 21(a) and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
They also violate Sections 383(2)(a) and 10 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, and are punishable under Sections 390 and 516.All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Some of the accused had earlier been granted bail. However, at the resumed hearing, the court was presented with an amended charge, following the recent arrest of Shamsudden, Kanakapudi, and Emmanuel.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to July 22 and 23, 2025, for commencement of trial.
Source: Newsmakers
