The Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has convicted two individuals and fined a mining company for illegally processing and trading solid minerals without obtaining the licences required under Nigeria’s mining laws.
The convictions were secured following the prosecution of the defendants by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency disclosed the development in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Thursday.
According to the EFCC, the convicts are Samuel Sunday, Saheed Lawal Akanji and Saaskrona Nigeria Limited, a company linked to Akanji.
They were separately arraigned before Justice Abimbola Awogboro on charges relating to the unlawful processing and commercial dealing in solid minerals contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
The commission explained that the investigation began after it received credible intelligence alleging that some individuals were operating illegal mineral processing sites in parts of Kwara State without the statutory approvals required by law.
Acting on the intelligence, EFCC operatives conducted surveillance operations that led to the arrest of the suspects at different locations in Eiyenkorin, Ilorin.
According to the agency, Samuel Sunday was arrested at a processing factory located in the Olorunda area near the Deeper Life Camp, while Akanji was apprehended at another facility situated opposite Ojaja University along Passa Road.
“Their journey to jail followed credible intelligence received by the Commission, alleging that some individuals were illegally dealing in and processing solid minerals in Kwara State without the requisite licences,” the EFCC stated.
The commission said further investigations established that the defendants were unlawfully processing and trading several categories of solid minerals, including Smithsonite, Calcite, Anhydrite, Tennantite and Quartz.
According to the EFCC, the activities violated the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, which requires operators in the sector to obtain appropriate licences before engaging in mining, processing or commercial transactions involving mineral resources.
“Investigations revealed that the defendants were unlawfully dealing in and processing various solid minerals, including Smithsonite, Calcite, Anhydrite, Tennantite and Quartz, without the licences required under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007,” the commission said.
When the defendants appeared before the court, they pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them.
Following the guilty pleas, EFCC counsel Rashidat Alao presented the facts of the cases before the court and tendered documentary evidence, including the mineral exhibits recovered during the investigation.
Justice Awogboro admitted the exhibits in evidence before proceeding to deliver judgment.
The court sentenced Samuel Sunday to 12 months’ imprisonment with an option of a ₦2 million fine.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of approximately 140 tonnes of mineral ore recovered from his factory to the Federal Government.
Saheed Lawal Akanji was also sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with an option of paying a ₦1 million fine.
The court further imposed a ₦1 million fine on Saaskrona Nigeria Limited for its role in the illegal mining activities.
Justice Awogboro equally ordered the forfeiture of about 90 tonnes of minerals recovered from the company’s premises to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The EFCC said the convictions reflect ongoing efforts to tackle illegal mining activities, enforce compliance with Nigeria’s mining regulations and prevent the unlawful exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.
