Indian and Dangote Workers Face Court Over Alleged Diversion of N4 Billion Diesel…Six workers, including Indians and employees of Dangote Industries Limited, were arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court in Yaba, charged with conspiracy, stealing, and diverting diesel worth approximately N4 billion.
The accused, identified as Olugbode Abayomi, Ahmad Abdullahi, Yahaya Musa, Abdullahi Muhammadu, Ibrahim Halihu, and Adamu Muhammed, allegedly committed the offenses between January 26 and 27, 2025, at the Dangote Refinery located in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Morufu Animashaun, assisted by A. O. Okunuga from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Annex in Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, informed the court that the stolen diesel belonged to Mr. Bolaji Animashaun.
According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired to divert and steal 145 liters of Automated Gas Oil (diesel), with the total value estimated at N142 million.
The charges filed against them violate Sections 411 and 280 of the law and are punishable under Section 287(5) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
All six accused pleaded not guilty to the charges during the court proceedings.
Their defense lawyer, I. K. Abdulsalam, petitioned the court for bail on their behalf, requesting that the defendants be released under liberal terms pending the continuation of the trial.
Magistrate Eniola Kubeinje granted bail to each defendant, setting the amount at N10 million with two responsible sureties for each accused.
The sureties were required to reside within the court’s jurisdiction, provide evidence of three years’ tax payments, and demonstrate proof of livelihood.
Until these bail conditions are fulfilled, the defendants remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS). The matter was adjourned to April 23, 2025, for further mention.
This case is part of a growing series of similar allegations involving employees within Dangote Industries Limited and its subsidiaries.
READ MORE: Manchester City Secure Signing of Dutch Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders Ahead of Club World Cup
Earlier in January 2025, the Federal High Court in Lagos issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Emmanuel Oku, a staff member accused of being involved in a diesel fraud amounting to ₦740 million.
Oku and several others faced charges related to defrauding the company of nearly ₦19 billion between January 2022 and June 2023.
These incidents continue to cast a spotlight on the challenges Dangote Industries faces in safeguarding its assets and maintaining employee accountability.
The ongoing investigations and legal battles raise important questions about the level of oversight and controls within major corporations operating in Nigeria.
The Dangote group, known as one of Africa’s largest conglomerates, is no stranger to such scrutiny as it works to maintain operational integrity in the face of internal fraud allegations.
The court proceedings will be closely watched, as they could set crucial precedents for how similar cases of corporate theft and fraud are handled within Nigeria’s legal system.
This recent arraignment of Indian and Nigerian workers accused of diverting vast quantities of diesel also highlights broader concerns over illicit activities within the country’s oil and gas sector.
Fuel theft and illegal diversion have long plagued Nigeria’s energy industry, leading to significant economic losses and affecting the supply chain.
With the government and regulatory agencies intensifying efforts to clamp down on corruption and fraud, cases like this are increasingly gaining public and judicial attention.
Legal experts suggest that the prosecution’s ability to present clear evidence and secure convictions in these high-profile cases will be critical for deterring future misconduct.
Meanwhile, corporations like Dangote are expected to enhance their internal monitoring systems and engage in more rigorous employee vetting to prevent such incidents.
As the legal process unfolds, the accused individuals remain in detention, and the public awaits the court’s final judgment.
The outcome of this case could send a strong message to workers and companies alike about the serious consequences of diverting company resources and undermining business operations.
For now, the court’s ruling in April will be pivotal in determining the next steps for the defendants and the broader implications for corporate governance in Nigeria.
