Thirteen individuals, including an Indian national named Tukur Shamsudden, were arraigned on June 10, 2025, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly diverting Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) valued at over ₦4 billion from Dangote Industries Limited. The suspects include Dangote staff and representatives of third-party logistics companies accused of colluding to siphon millions of litres of diesel between 2022 and 2023 under the guise of routine fuel deliveries to Dangote’s plants.
Tukur Shamsudden is accused of orchestrating part of the operation through three logistics firms contracted by Dangote. He allegedly diverted over 1.5 million litres of diesel worth more than ₦1.5 billion. Another key defendant, Omojowo Emmanuel, managing director of Opetrus Global Ltd, reportedly diverted an additional 2.45 million litres valued at ₦2.45 billion just before the end of 2023.
Prosecutors said these individuals abused their positions to facilitate the theft without detection for nearly two years, undermining corporate oversight in Nigeria's energy logistics sector. They face charges under Nigeria’s Money Laundering Prevention and Criminal Code Acts. All pleaded not guilty, and the trial was adjourned to July 22 and 23, 2025.
This case has drawn attention to regulatory weaknesses in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector and raises concerns about trust and accountability within major private sector fuel management systems.
