An Indian national, Tukur Shamsudden, along with twelve other individuals, was arraigned on Tuesday by the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos. They are accused of conspiracy and the unlawful diversion of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, valued at over ₦4 billion. The property belongs to Dangote Industries Limited.

The suspects appeared before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court. The court session also saw the presence of the Indian national.

Among the accused are notable names such as Ikechukwu Obi, Chigozie Osukwu, Ukaegbu Chukwuma, Umeh Ugochukwu, Emmanuella Akamadu (a female), Zango Umar, Emmanuel Oku, Shaibu Michael, Lucky Otoide, Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu, Ephraim Kanakapudi, and Omojowo Emmanuel.

They are facing a total of 16 charges, which include conspiracy, unlawful diversion of AGO, and receiving proceeds from fraudulently diverted products.

Case Details and Allegations

Prosecutor Mr. M. Y. Bello revealed that the accused comprise staff members of Dangote Industries Limited and personnel from transport firms contracted to move diesel from Dangote depots to its facilities in Ibese and Obajana.

Specifically, he named several Dangote Petroleum Industries Limited employees involved in the case, including Emmanuella Akamadu, Emmanuel Oku, Zango Umar, Lucky Otoide, and Ephraim Kanakapudi. Other defendants are affiliated with companies such as Arigen Integrated Limited, Obat Limited, Amaiden Energy Limited, Regal Gate Limited, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, and Opetrus Global Limited.

The offences are said to have occurred between January 2022 and December 2023.

Alleged Diversion of Diesel

The prosecutor alleged that Tukur Shamsudden, acting as a representative of companies contracted by Dangote Industries Limited — notably Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Limited, and Prestige Limited — diverted approximately 1,530,893 litres of AGO, worth about ₦1.53 billion.

Additionally, Omojowo Emmanuel, operating as the Managing Director of Opetrus Global Ltd—a company responsible for transloading AGO from depots to the Dangote tank farm—allegedly diverted about 2,455,229 litres of diesel, valued at roughly ₦2.45 billion, on or before December 20, 2023.

Legal Proceedings and Pleas

All thirteen defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bello also informed the court that some defendants had previously been granted bail under various conditions during earlier hearings.

Following the recent arrest of the Indian national, Ephraim, and Omojowo, the prosecutor presented an amended charge against the suspects.

This case highlights the ongoing fight against corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria, especially those involving large-scale fuel thefts, which threaten the nation’s economy.