Police Arraign Indian, Others For Diverting N4bn

The police in Lagos have arraigned Indian national Tukur Shamsudden and 13 others before the Federal High Court in the state for allegedly diverting Automated Gasoline Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, valued at N4 billion, belonging to Dangote Industries Limited.

The foreigner was docked before Justice Deinde Dipeolu alongside Ikechukwu Kingsley Obi, Chigozie Chrisogonus Osukwu, Ukaegbu Rex Chukwuma, Umeh Johnpaul Ugochukwu, Akamadu Emmanuella, Zango Mohammed Umar, Emmanuel Oku, Shaibu Michael, Lucky Otoide, Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu, Ephraim Kanakapudi, and Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel.

They are facing a three-count conspiracy charge and diversion brought against them by lawyers from the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU).

Among the defendants are employees of Dangote Industries Limited and officials from transport companies contracted to transport diesel from Dangote depots to the Ibese and Obajana plants.

Notably, Akamadu Emmanuella, Emmanuel Oku, Zango Mohammed Umar, Lucky Otoide, and Ephraim Kanakapudi are identified as staff members of Dangote Petroleum Industries Limited.

The other defendants are associated with companies including Arigen Integrated Limited, Obat Limited, Amaiden Energy Limited, Regal Gate Limited, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, and Opetrus Global Limited.

The police prosecutor, Mohammed Bello, had informed the court that all the defendants committed the alleged offences between January 2022 and December 2023.

Bello also alleged that Tukur Shamsudden, while acting as a representative of Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Limited, and Prestige Limited, firms contracted by Dangote, allegedly diverted 1,530,893 litres of AGO, worth N1.53 billion.

The prosecution also claimed that Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel, while serving as Managing Director and representative of Opetrus Global Ltd, allegedly diverted 2,455,229 litres of AGO valued at N2.45 billion with the intent to deprive Dangote Industries of the product permanently.

Bello further maintained that the offences violated sections 21(a) and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which are punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

The lawyer also insisted that the offences contravened sections 383(2)(a) and 10 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38, making them punishable under Sections 390 and 516 of the same Act.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Dipeolu has adjourned the matter to July 22 for the commencement of the trial.