An Indian citizen, Tukur Shamsudden, and 12 individuals were on Tuesday arraigned by the operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, for alleged conspiracy and unlawful diversion of Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, valued at over N4bn, property of Dangote Industries Limited.

The defendants were brought before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, alongside the Indian national.

Other defendants who were arraigned are Ikechukwu Obi, Chigozie Osukwu, Ukaegbu Chukwuma, Umeh Ugochukwu, Emmanuella Akamadu (female), Zango Umar, Emmanuel Oku, Shaibu Michael, Lucky Otoide, Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu, Ephraim Kanakapudi, and Omojowo Emmanuel.

They are facing 16 counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful diversion of AGO, and receiving proceeds of fraudulently diverted products.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr. M.Y. Bello, told the court that the defendants, comprising staff members of Dangote Industries Limited and officials of transport companies contracted to move diesel from Dangote depots to its Ibese and Obajana plants, connived to steal the petroleum products.

Specifically listed among the Dangote Petroleum Industries Limited staff in charge are Akamadu Emmanuella, Emmanuel Oku, Zango Umar, Lucky Otoide, and Ephraim Kanakapudi.

Others were said to be employed by Arigen Integrated Limited, Obat Limited, Amaiden Energy Limited, Regal Gate Limited, Alkham Limited, Prestige Limited, and Opetrus Global Limited.

Bello told the court that the offences were committed between January 2022 and December 2023.

The prosecutor alleged that Tukur Shamsudden, while representing Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Limited, and Prestige Limited companies contracted by Dangote Industries Limited, diverted 1,530,893 liters of AGO, valued at N1,530,893bn.

He also told the court that Omojowo, acting as the Managing Director and representative of Opetrus Global Ltd, a company contracted to transload AGO from depots to the Dangote tank farm, fraudulently diverted 2,455,229 litres of AGO valued at N2,455,229bn, on or before December 20, 2023.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Sections 21(a) and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act, and Sections 383(2)(a) and 10 of the Criminal Code Act, and is punishable under Sections 390 and 516.

All 13 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the police.

Meanwhile, Bello informed the court that some of the defendants had earlier been granted bail under different conditions when they were first arraigned.

Earlier at the resuming hearing of the matter on Tuesday, the prosecutor informed the court of another amended charge against the defendants, which was filed following the arrest of the Indian national and the duo of Ephraim and Omojowo.

Consequently, all defendants were re-arraigned on the amended charge.

Justice Dipeolu adjourned the trial to July 22 and 23, 2025, for the commencement of the trial. (Punch)

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