LPG Marketers Accuse Dangote Refinery of Blocking Gas Loading for Over One Month After Full Payment, Allege Product Diversion, Preferential Pricing and Financial Losses

Some Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) marketers have accused the Dangote Refinery of deliberately frustrating their operations by preventing them from loading LPG products more than a month after full payment was made. The aggrieved marketers told SaharaReporters that despite settling proforma invoices and meeting all financial obligations, access to the Dangote gantry has remained blocked, leaving many traders in severe financial distress. Several marketers said they borrowed heavily from banks to fund their allocations and are now burdened with high interest costs due to prolonged delays.

The marketers further alleged that LPG already paid for is being diverted by the refinery for the production of polypropylene, while independent traders are sidelined. They also criticised what they described as an inefficient and opaque loading system, claiming FAN tickets take weeks to process and that traders are restricted to loading only one truck every two weeks, often requiring insider connections. Additional complaints include alleged preferential pricing for consortium members, uncompetitive margins for independent marketers, the sale of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) in US dollars, and pricing structures that make profitability nearly impossible for traders relying on bank loans.

Responding to the allegations, Dangote Group’s Chief Communications Officer, Tony Chiejina, dismissed the criticisms, stating that the refinery’s impact would become clearer over time and highlighting Nigeria’s improved fuel availability during festive periods. He also hinted at what he described as an impending “big revolution” in LPG, urging critics to be patient as the refinery’s long-term benefits unfold.

JUST IN: Aliko Dangote has unveiled plans to offer an innovative dividend structure for his $20 billion oil refinery when it lists on the Nigerian Exchange in 2026, allowing shareholders to receive returns in US dollars despite purchasing shares in naira.

Again, Court gives Nigerian govt deadline to conclude 10-year trial of Ex-NSA, Dasuki.

Justice Peter Ode Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed September 24, 25 and 26 for the federal government to conclude its 10 years old prosecution of a former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki on alleged unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering charges.

The government was also asked to call its remaining witnesses if any and tender exhibits to establish its allegations against the retired officer.

Similarly, Dasuki who was put on trial by the defunct Muhammadu Buhari regime since 2015 on an amended 7-count charge on unlawful possession of firearms and money-laundering is expected to open his defense in the charges.

At the last proceedings, a witness of the federal government, Monsur Mohammed claimed that upon the arrest of the former NSA, his houses in Abuja, Kaduna and Sokoto were searched for firearms and money.

The witness who was led in evidence by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Oladipupo Okpeseyi claimed to be exhibits keeper with the Department of the State Security DSS.

At Dasuki s House at 46, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, he listed two Compact Disc of Freedom Radio on Jokolo, two GT Bank Cheque books, two blackberries phones, Nokia phone, flash drive, Apple Laptop and statement of account as part of items found in the house.

Others are Visa card, approval letter of a radio station granted to Afri-Media Integrated Ltd, one CD on arrest and execution of Mohammed Yusuf, 500 US Dollars, 533 Saudi Riyadh, Data page on Abubakar Dasuki Ibrahim, HSBC account book of Abubakar Dasuki Ibrahim, and Cheque book of Habibson Ltd of Abubakar Dasuki Ibrahim.

The items were admitted as exhibits as MSD 015 to 034 by Justice Lifu following no objection by Dasuki’s lawyer, Ahmed Usman.

At another house in Sabo Birni, in Sokoto State, the exhibits keeper claimed that 150,000 United States America Dollars and N37. 6M were recovered in the house and subsequently deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

EFCC Commences Investigation of Suspect Over Undeclared $420,900, £5,825, CFA3,946,500 Alleged Fraud

The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the case of one Ahmad Salisu, arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for allegedly concealing and failing to declare the sum of $420,900 (Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Nine Hundred US Dollars), £5,825, (Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Five Pounds Sterling), CFA3,946,500 (Three Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Six Thousand, Five CFA) and Cameroonian CFA 224,000( Two Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Cameroonian CFA).

Salisu was intercepted by Customs operatives during a routine check on Monday, July 7, 2025 at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. Upon physical inspection, it was revealed that the cash was meticulously concealed in a polythene bag covered by cloth and other fabrics in the luggage of the suspect.

Upon arrest, the suspect reportedly disclosed that he was transporting the funds on behalf of his brother Auwal Ahmad who is still in Saudi Arabia to be delivered to two individuals, Yusuf Adamu and Abdulhamid Rabiu who were also arrested upon their arrival to claim the monies. Following preliminary interrogation and documentation, the Nigeria Customs Service formally handed over the trio and the recovered funds to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

In a joint press briefing at the office of Nigeria Customs Service Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Kano Zonal Director of the EFCC, Commander of the EFCC, Ibrahim Shazali stated that the EFCC and Nigerian Customs was committed to zero tolerance for illegal cash smuggling and all other forms of economic and financial crimes and will not spare any offender. “The EFCC and the Nigerian Customs Service, working in concert, have zero tolerance for illegal cash smuggling”, he said.

“Our surveillance is active, our intelligence is sharp, and our resolve to apprehend offenders is unwavering. Attempting to circumvent our financial laws and border controls is a futile and costly endeavour,” he added.

Shazali also called on the general public and other stakeholders to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity across the Nigeria borders. “We urge the public, particularly stakeholders within the aviation sector and financial institutions to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement of large volumes of cash. Protecting the integrity of our economy is a collective responsibility”, he said.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar in his remarks pointed out that currency declaration is part of Nigeria’s effort to combat money laundering and terrorist financing activities and all efforts must be enhanced to protect the sanctity of our borders in that regard. “The currency declaration regime is part of a holistic anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures provided in our laws to protect the sanctity and integrity of the Nigerian financial system. The measures are also aimed at controlling the flow of funds to criminal networks, terrorist, bandits and drug barons whose activities jeopardize our national security”, he said.

The suspects will soon be charged to court.