An Indian national, Tukur Shamsudden, and 12 others were on Tuesday arraigned by the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, over the alleged unlawful diversion of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), worth over ₦4 billion, belonging to Dangote Industries Limited.
The defendants appeared before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a 16-count charge of conspiracy, illegal diversion of AGO, and receiving proceeds from fraudulently diverted products.
Others arraigned alongside Shamsudden 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 prosecutor, M.Y. Bello, the alleged offences occurred between January 2022 and December 2023. He said the defendants, including staff of Dangote Petroleum Industries and transport companies contracted to distribute diesel to Dangote’s Ibese and Obajana plants, diverted large volumes of the product.
Shamsudden was accused of diverting over 1.53 million litres of diesel, valued at ₦1.53 billion, while representing Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Ltd, and Prestige Ltd. Similarly, Omojowo, as Managing Director of Opetrus Global Ltd, allegedly diverted 2.45 million litres, valued at ₦2.45 billion.
The charges fall under sections of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Criminal Code Act.
All 13 defendants pleaded not guilty. The court heard that some had previously been granted bail.
The trial resumes on July 22 and 23, 2025.
