Dangote Refineries Fraud: Court Reveals Multi-Billion Naira Allegations Against Foreign Contractors and Truck Drivers
Dangote Refineries Fraud: Court Reveals Multi-Billion Naira Allegations Against Foreign Contractors and Truck Drivers
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Abuja – In a high-profile case that has drawn national and international attention, a Federal High Court in Abuja has unveiled details of an alleged multi-billion naira fraud involving businessman Aliko Dangote’s companies, Dangote Refineries and Dangote Cement. The court proceedings have highlighted how Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man, narrowly escaped being defrauded by foreign contractors and insiders engaged to provide critical industrial services.
During proceedings, the court heard that some foreigners, primarily of Asian origin, who were engaged to lay under-sea pipes for the transportation of crude oil to Dangote Refineries in Lagos, allegedly failed to perform their contractual obligations. Instead, they are said to have forged certificates of project completion and presented them to the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) tribunal to claim $50 million.
The foreigners, named in court documents as He Jun, Sun Yuzhu, Yong Li, Dr. Feng, Jaykumar Sagar, and Rajnish Gupta, allegedly misrepresented the completion of their tasks. Their purported fraudulent activity was exposed when Dangote Refineries provided evidence to the LCIA showing that the contracted work had not been delivered, prompting the rejection of the foreign contractors’ claims.
Court Proceedings and Arrest Applications
On Friday, during arguments for an arrest warrant, police counsel Rimamsomte Ezekiel, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), informed the court that the respondents are foreigners residing in Lagos. Ezekiel stated that criminal charges have already been filed against the individuals in the High Court of Lagos State under charge number 11/26401C/2025.
ACP Ezekiel told the court that the arrest warrant is necessary to enable law enforcement to secure the presence of the foreign nationals for trial. In a supporting affidavit, the police asserted that:
“Sometime in 2021, under false pretence and with intent to defraud their victim, Alhaji Dangote, the respondents conspired among themselves, forged, and submitted a certificate of completion of projects to the LCIA to claim a sum of $50,000,000 (US Dollars).”
The affidavit further stated that some of the respondents have since gone into hiding, while others submitted to police investigation, with some admitting culpability. The police emphasised that the arrest warrant would facilitate extradition if the individuals were found outside Nigeria, ensuring they face prosecution.
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the case, granted the police’s application and directed that investigations be completed within 30 days, with a progress report due on 20 September 2025.
Alleged Diversion of Dangote Cement Property
The court also heard allegations involving truck drivers engaged by Dangote Cement. A principal suspect, Mohammed Tayiru (also identified as Mohammed Tahir), alongside others, is accused of diverting truckloads of “thick iron pipes” valued at billions of naira. The proceeds of the alleged diversion were reportedly traced to five bank accounts in multiple Nigerian banks.
The affected bank accounts include:
- 1696193289 (Access Bank) – Mohammed Tahir
- 0121946277 (GT Bank) – Mohammed Tayiru
- 2113902271 (UBA) – Mohammed Tayiru
- 9129948744 (PalmPay Limited) – Mohammed Tayiru
- 8033300443 (Opay Digital Services Limited) – Mohammed Tayiru
The police affidavit revealed that Tayiru, as a Dangote trailer driver, allegedly sold the thick iron pipes and deposited the proceeds into the identified accounts for personal use. ACP Ezekiel described the case as “complicated” due to the number of parties involved and the multiplicity of accounts across the country.
Justice Nwite granted the application to freeze the accounts and ordered that investigations into the matter be concluded within 60 days.
The Scale of Dangote’s Enterprise
Aliko Dangote, whose wealth is estimated at $24.4 billion according to the latest Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List, remains Africa’s wealthiest individual. His fortune is primarily derived from stakes in oil, cement, and sugar industries. Dangote ranks 88th globally, while fellow Nigerians on the list include Abdulsamad Rabiu ($7.2 billion), Mike Adenuga ($6.3 billion), and Femi Otedola ($1.5 billion).
For context, other notable African billionaires include South Africa’s Johann Rupert ($13.2 billion) and Nicky Oppenheimer ($10.4 billion), Egypt’s Nassef Sawiris ($8.8 billion), and Eswatini’s Nathan Kirsh ($8.0 billion). The global ranking remains dominated by Americans such as Elon Musk ($419.1 billion), Larry Ellison ($282.2 billion), and Mark Zuckerberg ($260.3 billion).
Dangote has maintained the position of Africa’s richest man for 14 consecutive years, initially achieving the status in 2008, briefly losing it, and reclaiming it in 2011. His companies, including Dangote Cement and Dangote Refinery, are key pillars of Nigeria’s industrial landscape, making this alleged fraud case particularly significant.
Implications and Next Steps
The ongoing investigations underscore the complexity of corporate fraud involving multinational contractors and domestic staff. The Nigerian Police have emphasised their determination to prosecute the case diligently and have sought judicial support to extend the investigation beyond Nigerian borders if necessary.
Analysts note that the case may have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s business sector, particularly in the oil and construction industries. The involvement of foreign contractors in alleged fraudulent schemes highlights the importance of rigorous oversight and due diligence in large-scale industrial projects.
As the court monitors the progress of investigations, stakeholders across Nigeria’s corporate and legal sectors are closely following the developments. The case not only threatens significant financial losses but also raises questions about contractual compliance, accountability, and the enforcement of international arbitration rulings in Nigeria.
Akahi News will continue to provide comprehensive updates as the investigation unfolds and as the Federal High Court moves toward potential prosecution of the accused parties.
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