Indian Businessman, 13 Others Arraigned Over ₦4 Billion Diesel Diversion at Dangote Depot
A major fuel diversion scandal has rocked Nigeria’s energy logistics sector as an Indian national, Tukur Shamsudden, along with 13 others—including depot workers and transport company representatives—has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly diverting ₦4 billion worth of diesel from a Dangote Industries depot.
The case was brought forward by the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos, following a months-long investigation into large-scale theft and laundering of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) meant for commercial distribution.
According to the charge sheet, the accused individuals conspired between January 2022 and December 2023 to fraudulently divert more than 4 million litres of AGO, using forged documentation and collusion with depot insiders and logistics firms.
The main suspect, Tukur Shamsudden, is alleged to have orchestrated the diversion of 1,530,893 litres of AGO through companies linked to him—namely Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Ltd, and Prestige Ltd—with an estimated value of ₦1.53 billion.
Also charged is Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel, Managing Director of Opetrus Global Ltd, accused of diverting an additional 2,455,229 litres, valued at over ₦2.46 billion. The combined value of the stolen diesel is said to exceed ₦4 billion.
In addition to Shamsudden and Adeleke, other individuals facing prosecution include:
• Akamadu Emmanuella, Emmanuel Oku, Zango Mohammed Umar, Lucky Otoide Simon, and Ephraim Kanakapudi — all identified as depot staff or insiders with operational access.
• Representatives of other implicated logistics firms, such as Arigen Integrated Ltd, Obat Ltd, and Amaiden Energy Ltd, were also listed among the defendants.
The 14 suspects were arraigned on a 16-count charge, including:
• Conspiracy to commit felony
• Unlawful diversion of petroleum products
• Receiving proceeds of fraud
• Violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022
Specifically, the police cited violations of:
• Sections 21(a), 18(2)(d), and 18(3) of the Money Laundering Act
• Sections 383(2)(a), 390, and 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation
The defendants pleaded not guilty during their appearance before Justice Deinde Dipeolu. Some of the accused were granted bail, and the case was adjourned for trial on July 22 and 23, 2025.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns in Nigeria’s petroleum sector regarding internal fraud and weak oversight mechanisms.
The theft occurred not from government reserves or pipelines, but from a major private industrial depot, revealing that even top-tier companies like Dangote Industries are vulnerable to insider-driven product loss.
Security experts and industry analysts say the case could become a turning point in tightening internal audit procedures and refining logistics surveillance in the country’s energy distribution chain.
Meanwhile, the PSFU has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing all involved parties to justice and called on logistics and petroleum firms to reinforce operational transparency and accountability.
With trial dates now confirmed, stakeholders across the oil and gas sector—as well as anti-corruption agencies—will closely monitor court proceedings. If convicted, the accused could face stiff penalties, including lengthy prison terms and asset forfeiture.
