Segun Atanda/
The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a bench warrant against Emmanuel Oku, a staff member of Dangote Industries Limited, who is accused of defrauding the company of over ₦739 million.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu issued the warrant on Friday after Oku failed to appear in court for trial despite being granted bail. The application for the warrant was made by the prosecuting counsel, Barrister M.Y. Bello, who argued that Oku had evaded justice.
Oku is one of 11 defendants charged by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, for their alleged roles in a massive fraud involving the diversion of Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) meant for Dangote Industries. The accused are said to have defrauded the company of approximately ₦19 billion between January 2022 and June 2023.
The other defendants include Ikechukwu Kingsley Obit, Chigozie Chrisogonus Osukwu, Ukaegbu Rex Chukwuma, Umeh Johnpaul Ugochukwu, Akamadu Emmanuella, Zango Mohammed Umar, Shaibu Michael, Lucky Otoide, and Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu.
The charges, spread across 11 counts, include conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering. The prosecution alleges that the defendants, who were employed directly or indirectly by Dangote Industries or its subcontractors, received illicit funds from transporters contracted to haul AGO to the company’s facilities in Ibese and Obajana.
The defendants are accused of receiving large sums into personal bank accounts, with amounts ranging from ₦10 million to ₦305 million, which they allegedly knew were proceeds of crime.
When the case came up for hearing, Justice Dipeolu noted the absence of some defendants, including Oku, stalling their re-arraignment. The judge granted the prosecution’s request for a short adjournment and ordered the arrest of Oku.
The case was adjourned to February 25 and 27, 2025, for the arraignment and continuation of the trial.
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