The Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has convicted two individuals and fined a company for engaging in illegal mining operations without the required licences under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced the convictions, stating that the judgment followed successful prosecution by its Ilorin Zonal Directorate.
The convicted persons, Samuel Sunday and Saheed Lawal Akanji, alongside Akanji’s company, Saaskrona Nigeria Limited, were prosecuted before Justice Abimbola Awogboro on charges relating to unlawful processing and trading of solid minerals without the necessary government approval.
The EFCC said the case began after receiving intelligence reports about individuals allegedly involved in illegal mineral activities across parts of Kwara State.
Following surveillance operations, EFCC operatives arrested the suspects at separate locations in Eiyenkorin, Ilorin. Sunday was arrested at his factory in the Olorunda area, while Akanji was apprehended at his facility opposite Ojaja University along Passa Road.
According to the commission, investigations revealed that the defendants were involved in the illegal processing and handling of solid minerals including Smithsonite, Calcite, Anhydrite, Tennantite and Quartz without obtaining the licences required by law.
The defendants pleaded guilty when they appeared before the court. EFCC counsel, Rashidat Alao, presented evidence including recovered mineral samples and other documents, which were accepted by the court.
In his ruling, Justice Awogboro sentenced Samuel Sunday to 12 months imprisonment with an option of a N2 million fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of 140 tonnes of recovered mineral ore from his site to the Federal Government.
Saheed Lawal Akanji was also sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with an option of a N1 million fine, while his company, Saaskrona Nigeria Limited, was fined N1 million.
The court further directed that 90 tonnes of minerals recovered from the company’s facility be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
