The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday arraigned an Indian national, Tukur Shamsudden, and 12 others before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly conspiring and unlawfully diverting over N4 billion worth of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, belonging to Dangote Industries Limited.
The accused were arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful diversion of petroleum products, and receiving proceeds of fraudulently diverted diesel.
The defendants include:
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Ikechukwu Obi
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Chigozie Osukwu
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Ukaegbu Chukwuma
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Umeh Ugochukwu
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Emmanuella Akamadu (female)
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Zango Umar
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Emmanuel Oku
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Shaibu Michael
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Lucky Otoide
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Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu
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Ephraim Kanakapudi
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Omojowo Emmanuel
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. M. Y. Bello, told the court that several of the defendants were either employees of Dangote Industries Limited or worked with companies contracted to transport diesel to Dangote's plants in Ibese and Obajana.
Specifically, Dangote staff members implicated include Emmanuella Akamadu, Emmanuel Oku, Zango Umar, Lucky Otoide, and Ephraim Kanakapudi. The other defendants were said to be working for third-party logistics firms, including Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, Opetrus Global Ltd, Arigen Integrated Limited, Obat Limited, Amaiden Energy Limited, and others.
The PSFU alleged that between January 2022 and December 2023, the defendants fraudulently diverted vast volumes of AGO entrusted to them.
Tukur Shamsudden, representing multiple firms contracted by Dangote Industries, allegedly diverted 1,530,893 litres of diesel, valued at N1.53 billion. Similarly, Omojowo Emmanuel, Managing Director of Opetrus Global Ltd, was accused of diverting 2,455,229 litres, worth N2.45 billion, as of December 20, 2023.
The offences were said to violate the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as provisions of the Criminal Code Act.
All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution also informed the court that the charge sheet had been amended to include the recently arrested Indian national, along with Ephraim and Omojowo, prompting a re-arraignment on Tuesday.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to July 22 and 23, 2025, for commencement of trial.
The case marks one of the largest corporate oil diversion scandals in recent years and underscores the growing focus of law enforcement on white-collar crime involving critical national assets.
