Firstsitenews-An Indian citizen, Tukur Shamsudden, alongside 12 others, was on Tuesday arraigned by operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly conspiring and illegally diverting Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, worth over ₦4 billion belonging to Dangote Industries Limited.
The accused were brought before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court. Alongside Shamsudden, the other defendants 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.
They are facing 16 counts of conspiracy, unlawful diversion of AGO, and receiving proceeds from the fraudulently diverted product.
Prosecuting counsel, Mr. M. Y. Bello, stated that the defendants consist of both staff of Dangote Industries Limited and employees of logistics companies contracted to transport diesel from Dangote depots to its plants in Ibese and Obajana.
Among those listed as Dangote staff are Emmanuella Akamadu, Emmanuel Oku, Zango Umar, Lucky Otoide, and Ephraim Kanakapudi.
The remaining defendants were said to be affiliated with companies such as Arigen Integrated Limited, Obat Limited, Amaiden Energy Limited, Regal Gate Limited, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, and Opetrus Global Limited.
Bello informed the court that the 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 firms contracted by Dangote diverted 1,530,893 litres of diesel valued at ₦1.53 billion.
Additionally, Omojowo, identified as the Managing Director and representative of Opetrus Global Ltd (also contracted by Dangote to handle diesel transloading), was accused of diverting 2,455,229 litres of AGO worth ₦2.45 billion as of December 20, 2023.
The prosecutor stated that the charges contravene Sections 21(a) and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act, as well as Sections 383(2)(a) and 10 of the Criminal Code Act, punishable under Sections 390 and 516.
All 13 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Bello also noted that some of the accused had previously been granted bail under varying conditions after an earlier arraignment. During Tuesday’s proceedings, he informed the court of a newly amended charge, filed after the arrests of the Indian national and two other suspects—Ephraim and Omojowo.
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