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 N4 bn, 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, 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.
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.
