Indian,12 Dangote Workers Arraigned For Diverting N4 Billion Worth Of Diesel

In a development involving one of Nigeria’s largest industrial conglomerates, Dangote Industries Limited, an Indian national and twelve Nigerian workers have been arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged criminal conspiracy and unlawful diversion of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, worth more than ?4 billion.

The accused individuals include Tukur Shamsudden, an Indian citizen, alongside Ikechukwu Obi, Chigozie Osukwu, Ukaegbu Chukwuma, Umeh Ugochukwu, Emmanuella Akamadu (the only female among the accused), Zango Umar, Emmanuel Oku, Shaibu Michael, Lucky Otoide, Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu, Ephraim Kanakapudi, and Omojowo Emmanuel. They were all brought before the court by operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to court documents and statements from the SFU, the defendants are alleged to have conspired to illegally divert the diesel — property of Dangote Industries Limited — for their own gain. The product, reportedly valued at over ?4 billion, was meant for industrial use and supply chain operations of the company but was allegedly siphoned through fraudulent logistics, collusion with third parties, and falsified documentation.

The Special Fraud Unit noted that this case was uncovered after a detailed internal audit and intelligence-sharing between Dangote Group’s internal security network and law enforcement agencies. The investigation reportedly revealed that the accused exploited weak points in the distribution chain to reroute consignments of diesel to unauthorized buyers.

The suspects are facing multiple charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, fraudulent diversion of petroleum products, stealing, and breach of trust. If convicted, they may face significant jail time under the Nigerian Criminal Code and relevant sections of the Petroleum Industry Act.

The prosecuting counsel from the SFU presented the charges during the arraignment, and the defendants pleaded not guilty. The presiding judge adjourned the matter to a later date for the hearing of the bail applications and commencement of trial proceedings.

Meanwhile, Dangote Industries Limited has yet to release an official statement on the matter, but sources within the company confirmed ongoing internal reforms to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. The case has sparked public outrage and renewed concerns about corruption and systemic fraud in Nigeria’s oil and gas distribution sector.

Security analysts have commended the SFU’s action, describing it as a strong message to corporate saboteurs and insiders abusing their positions of trust. The investigation continues, and more arrests may follow as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to dismantle petroleum-related fraud networks in Nigeria.